This operation has been extended in time until 31 December 2009 as per Budget revision 907 (see below).
Cyclone Nargis made landfall in Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, causing extensive damage and destruction in the southern coastal regions of the country.
Initial assessments report that the total population in need of humanitarian assistance amounts to some 1.5 million people. The situation is further aggravated by a combination of poor or non-existing infrastructure and limited communications networks, both severely damaged by the cyclone and the subsequent flooding.
On 6 May 2008, the Emergency Relief Coordinator endorsed the cluster approach for humanitarian relief operations in Myanmar.
Through this Special Operation WFP will in its capacity as Logistics and Emergency Telecommunications Clusters lead, and on behalf of the humanitarian community, support the efforts of the Myanmar authorities.
The operation provides for the assets, equipment, staff, systems and facilities necessary to ensure:
