Australia responds to Myanmar’s call for aid by pledging $2M towards flood relief efforts

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced on Wednesday that Australia will provide AU$2 million to Myanmar’s flood relief efforts, after heavy torrential rains and Cyclone Komen displaced thousands across the nation’s Western region. Both countries have started working together to decide on the allocation of the funding

The news comes just after Myanmar asked for international aid to handle its worst flood in 100 years. Bishop decided to extend her support to the suffering Myanmar after meeting her Myanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin at the ASEAN 10-annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Myanmar has been facing the terrible consequences of flooding as monsoon rains continue for weeks, which up to date has reportedly claimed at least 46 lives and affected some 215,000 people. However, it has been reported that rescuers with aids and assistance have not been able to reach the villages situated in the remote areas of the country. The Rakhine state, which is one of the most affected areas, is being looked after cautiously.

Australia has maintained itself as a key donor to the United Nation’s (UN) Emergency Response Fund for Burma and the Central Emergency Response Fund, both of which are releasing funds to support the response. Myanmar is also tapping into the existing funding that the Australian government had provided to development and humanitarian partners in the country, to cover the expenses of the relief efforts.

Australian Civilian Corps specialists, who were deployed by the Australian government to work for humanitarian projects, are now helping with the relief efforts and assessing damage reports.

One of Australia’s specialists is also working with the Myanmar government and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help the 140,000 Rohinga people badly affected by displacement and floods. An additional humanitarian adviser will depart for Myanmar next week to help coordinate Australian assistance.

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