HelpAge International is supporting the efforts of the YMCA to bring relief to those affected by Cyclone Nargis.

Some 3,000 people have already been reached in the districts of Hlaingtharya, Bogalay and Labutta. The YMCA has set up three community kitchens to provide cooked food and is distributing rice for those who are able to cook themselves.

YMCA staff and volunteers are also providing health check-ups and basic medicines.

Older people's homes destroyed

HelpAge International has been working with the YMCA in Myanmar, in collaboration with the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Social Affairs, for over five years to deliver home care for vulnerable older people.

Two of the home care programmes are in villages affected by Cyclone Nargis and initial assessments have shown that 65 older people’s homes have been destroyed.

Over the weekend, YMCA staff took 50 older people to the YMCA office in Yangon where they received food and health check-ups.

During the coming weeks, HelpAge International and the YMCA hope to expand their activities to reach two further districts affected by the cyclone. They are also seeking ways to continue their relief efforts for a further six months.

Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on Saturday 3 May with winds of up to 150 miles per hour which swept away homes and destroyed crops. The death toll continues to rise and is now feared to have reached over 100,000.

Older people face particular challenges during emergencies, but are not often identified as a vulnerable group. HelpAge International is the only international organisation focusing on the needs of older people.  

Long-term assistance needed

Godfred Paul, HelpAge International Regional Emergency Co-ordinator, says: “Working with our local partner, the YMCA, we have been able to start helping the people affected by this disaster.”

“It is important to assess older people’s needs and ensure that they are included in the relief effort. It is essential that in addition to providing short-term aid such as food, water, shelter and healthcare, long-term mechanisms to rebuild livelihoods are also put in place.

"We will be meeting with the YMCA and relevant authorities over the next few days to discuss ways of taking this forward."

HelpAge International, together with its partner, Help the Aged, is committed to supporting efforts to alleviate the situation of older people affected by the disaster.

How you can help

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an urgent appeal to help those affected by the Myanmar cylcone.

You can donate online by visiting the DEC website or call 0870 60 60 900.

The DEC is an umbrella organisation that launches and coordinates the UK's national appeal in response to major disasters overseas. HelpAge International’s partner organisation, Help the Aged, is one of its members.

Non-UK based donors can donate to our Myanmar cyclone relief work through partner Help the Aged's website.