WFP continues to make progress in reaching victims of Cyclone Nargis which struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008.

As of today, 11,046 tons of WFP food assistance have been delivered to the affected areas (with 5,316 tons of food actually distributed). WFP estimates that it has reached approximately 501,000 beneficiaries with varying rations.

WFP has organized a total of 39 air cargo shipments into Yangon airport from Bangkok. These shipments have included medical kits, tents, tarpaulins and other vital humanitarian material such as temporary warehousing and water purification equipment.

Six WFP helicopters are now in Myanmar carrying food and other critically needed humanitarian supplies to hard-to-reach Delta areas. A first helicopter completed relief deliveries in the Delta every day last week, and was joined by five helicopters which arrived in Yangon on Saturday 7 June.

WFP has now received 43 visas for international staff since the cyclone struck and has deployed 37 TDY international staff to the cyclone operation. WFP has employed 111 additional national staff since the cyclone.

WFP currently has a total of 376 staff in Myanmar, of which 62 are in Ayeyarwady Division, including an international Head of Sub-Office in Bogale.

Source: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)