Finland to provide assistance to Myanmar flood victims

Press release 188/2015
17 August 2015

Finland granted EUR 400,000 on 17 August in humanitarian aid to the victims of the flooding and landslides in Myanmar. The support will be channelled to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) via the Finnish Red Cross. The support will be granted from Finland's development cooperation appropriations earmarked for humanitarian aid purposes.

The floods and landslides in Myanmar in July and August are the worst for decades. They have seriously affected the lives of more than 1.3 million people. It is estimated that about 300,000 households have been forced to leave their homes and over a hundred people have died.

"Especially agriculture and food security have suffered because of the floods.  Recovery will be difficult for those who have lost their livelihoods. Despite the situation with the appropriations, Finland wants to respond to the needs of distressed people," says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka.

The IFRC is working in the area, distributing relief supplies, shelters, food and clean water, providing first aid and supporting health care workers and trying to prevent the spread of water-borne illnesses.

Inquiries: Claus Jerker Lindroos, Director, Unit for Humanitarian Assistance and Humanitarian Assistance Policy, tel. +358 40 132 1416.