NEW YORK – A Revised Appeal of US$481.8 million was launched today for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.  The launch, by the United Nations, was participated by the ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, at the invitation of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sir John Holmes.

The Revised Appeal expands the original Flash Appeal that was issued on 9 May 2008.  US$178 million already has been committed in response to the Flash Appeal, which leaves an unmet requirement of US$303.8 million.

The funding will support 103 projects in 13 key sectors that are submitted by 13 UN agencies and 23 non-governmental organisations to assist the 2.4 million people most severely affected by Cyclone Nargis. The Revised Appeal has a planning horizon until April 2009.

The Revised Appeal takes into account the results of the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA), an initiative of the ASEAN-led mechanism. The PONJA report is being finalised for presenting to the meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Singapore on 21 July 2008.
 
“Once the findings of the report have been acknowledged by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, it will hopefully be the basis for humanitarian recovery and engagement for the longer term,” said the ASEAN Secretary-General at the Launch.

Several of the delegates present at the Launch affirmed their support and appreciation for the ASEAN-led mechanism set up to coordinate the relief efforts,  and the establishment of the Tripartite Core Group consisting of ASEAN, the United Nations and the Government of Myanmar, to support the humanitarian efforts. They also promised full support for future humanitarian assistance for the cyclone victims in Myanmar.