The IRC in Myanmar

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) started working in Myanmar (also known as Burma) in May 2008 in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.  Our recovery efforts in the hard-hit Irawaddy Delta region helped people whose lives had been devastated by the cyclone get back on their feet by restoring livelihoods, improving access to basic services, and promoting sustainable solutions. Our work focused on health, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and community driven reconstruction in the Middle Island area of Ngapudaw Township.
 
The IRC’s work in Myanmar has expanded during the past two years in response to a wide range of needs in other areas of the country.  Currently we are providing humanitarian assistance to communities in the Irawaddy Division, Chin State, Shan State and Northern Rakhine State, focusing on water and sanitation,  livelihoods and social development.
 
The IRC launched an emergency response after Cyclone Giri made landfall in late October 2010 and devastated large areas of Rakhine State. We are assessing needs in the affected communities and distributing vital aid supplies, including including rice, oil, water purification tablets, water containers and blankets. In addition, IRC water and sanitation specialists are setting up emergency water treatment units, and plan to clean and rehabilitate ponds and reservoirs that have been contaminated by salt water and debris.  Read more about the IRC’s response to Cyclone Giri here.