Press release
05 May 2008
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Sweden prepared to supply disaster relief to Burma
Sweden is prepared to supply humanitarian support via Sida following the massive cyclone that hit Burma over the weekend.
"There is an immediate risk of a hunger disaster and epidemics. It is now important that the international community can act quickly and in a coordinated manner to assist the people of Burma. Sweden has offered logistical support and water purification systems to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
Large parts of the country have suffered extensive devastation and five districts have been designated as disaster areas. According to national television over 4 000 people have died as a result of the storm and it is estimated that over 100 000 people have lost their homes.
The international community has been prepared since the weekend to provide disaster relief to the country. A UN-led evaluation group is currently in the disaster-hit areas and will be able to make a more concrete assessment as to the extent of the disaster in a few days.
"I deeply regret the deaths and the material devastation caused by the cyclone. In a country like Burma, where the humanitarian situation is already very difficult, the people are affected particularly hard," says Ms Carlsson.
Contact
Peter Larsson+46 8 405 10 00
