World Vision Myanmar responding to massive flooding

Following massive flooding and landslides in the northwestern regions and states in Myanmar resulting from heavy monsoon rains aggravated by Cyclone Komen, World Vision Myanmar is launching an emergency response.



As of 2 August, the Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD) has reported over 200,000 people have been affected and 39 people have been killed across 12 states and regions. Information is still incoming from many of the worst affected areas, including Rakhine State. These figures are likely to rise in the coming days as areas become accessible and further assessments take place. 





On 31 July, the Myanmar government declared a state of emergency in the regions of Sagaing and Magwe, and the Rakshine and Chin states. Government of Myanmar is leading the response and the RRD has already airlifted relief supplies including tarpaulins, clothes and family kits from Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon to Rakhine. RRD is also providing food, relief items and other assistance in other flood affected states and regions.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, 524,895 acres of farmland have been inundated since June. The loss of stored grains and livestock is expected to disrupt the planting season and impact long-term food security. There will be longer terms needs in shelter, livelihoods and repair of schools.

Situation of World Vision Programming


As Cyclone Komen evolved in the Bay of Bengal and made a landfall in Bangladesh on July 7, the situation in the Sagaing and Magwe regions and Rakshine and Chin states worsened. World Vision Myanmar has three programming areas in Magwe region and two programming areas in Chin State. The programmes in the Chin state are more severely affected and will be prioritized.

Food availability and accessibility will be the main difficulties in the coming week or two. Logistics and transportation are still the main challenges. In Chin state, World Vision Myanmar is concerned about food shortage as the road to the market on the mainland (Kalaymyo) has been severely damaged. Alternative sources for food availability are in border areas of India. However, main access roads and bridges to the India boarder have been damaged and blocked by landslide.


World Vision Response


Situation assessments in our programme areas are ongoing. Our programme in Chin state has already been providing water purification tablets to the community.

 World Vision Myanmar is monitoring the situation very closely and is working with the government, district and local authorities to assess the situation. The Township Administration Department (Myanmar Government) organised and formed Committees and World Vision is assigned as members of the Relief and Rehabilitation Committee.