Relief International (RI) is assessing the extent of the damage and evaluating appropriate emergency response strategies to provide aid, following a massive Category 3 cyclone in southeast Myanmar. At least 22,000 people are dead, with the death toll expected to reach 50,000. Hundreds of thousands are currently without shelter, clean drinking water and other basic needs.

Critical damage to infrastructure, including telecommunications lines, buildings and roads has limited access to significant portions of the population, particularly in rural areas.

RI is currently working with local partners on the ground to provide immediate emergency assistance to relief operations. RI?s program response will be expanded with the arrival of RI?s Rapid Emergency Deployment (RED) team. The RED team is a mobile, rapid response unit with the capability to effectively respond to disaster and conflict situations worldwide.