WFP 'working around the clock' to help in Myanmar

STORY: "The World Food Programme has already started rapid food distributions to populations in extreme need in Rakhine and in Magwe and is going to be expanding further in the coming days,” said WFP Myanmar Country Director, Stephen Anderson.

“Our teams are on the ground, working around the clock to do whatever they can to scale up assistance to reach all those in need wherever they are,” he added.

The impoverished western state of Rakhine bore the brunt of the storm that on Sunday (May 14) tore down houses, communication towers and bridges with winds of up to 210 kph (130 mph), and triggered a storm surge that inundated the state capital Sittwe.

According to the WFP, key facilities such as hospitals and schools have been destroyed in Sittwe, and telecommunications and power lines in this part of Myanmar have been severely disrupted.