United Nations Radio

The United Nations on Friday launched a flash appeal for $187 million to assist the 1.5 million people in Myanmar affected by Cyclone Nargis.

The appeal was launched by the UN humanitarian Chief John Holmes at UN headquarters in New York.

He says the amount being sought should cover three months of essential needs such as food, water and sanitation, health including emergency medical kits, mosquito nets, water purification tablets, and shelter such as plastic sheeting.

"This appeal will be regularly updated to reflect new needs as the situation evolves and an organized revision is foreseen after some weeks as access to affected areas improves, administrative difficulties for bringing relief supplies and expertise into the country get resolved, I very much hope, and more information is available on in-country capacity to implement relief programmes."

Holmes says Friday's flash appeal is a coordinated preliminary plan by the international community to help the authorities in Myanmar to assist its people.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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