NEW YORK, USA, 4 November 2008 In early May of this year, hundreds of thousands of people in south-western Myanmars Irrawaddy Delta were forced from their homes by Cyclone Nargis. Today, six months on, emergency relief efforts are on track, but more support is needed to ensure long-term recovery for cyclone-affected children and their families.

About 140,000 people perished as a result of the devastating cyclone and subsequent flooding, which destroyed schools and health centres, contaminated water supplies and left hundreds of young children separated from their parents.

In all, more than 2 million people were affected, many of them losing their homes, their livelihoods and all of their belongings.

At first, mobilizing the relief effort in the stricken Irrawaddy Delta was difficult due to the lack of access to remote areas and the deltas badly damaged infrastructure. But as of today, a wide range of activities have been implemented in health, education and sanitation.

Overall, the biggest achievement has been the coordinated effort by the government, UNICEF and other relief agencies, which has facilitated emergency relief to a large number of families and communities.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/myanmar_46244.html

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