News from the Field

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is sending emergency supplies to Myanmar after some of the heaviest rains in 40 years devastated parts of the country including the capital, Yangon.

At least 56 persons were killed, more than 6,000 were injured or missing and 500,000 households and buildings damaged or destroyed.

Parts of the capital received 13 inches of rain in 24 hours during the weekend. Roads and bridges were swept away, farmland extensively flooded and animals killed.

JICA said it was sending tents, water purifiers, water tanks and electric generators from its main regional supply depot at Singapore.

JICA is part of the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) system incorporating government agencies, non governmental organizations and other groups which have the ability to send rescue teams, doctors, nurses and emergency equipment to help in the aftermath of natural disasters anywhere in the world.