THE United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation last week tripled its appeal for funding to help survivors in the areas hardest hit by Cyclone Nargis.
“Additional resources are urgently required for FAO to expand its assistance to those in need,” FAO said in a press release issued on July 17.

The Rome-based agency had earlier appealed for US$10 million but had now said it needs $33.5 million to help to rebuild the lives of farmers and fishermen in Ayeyarwady and Yangon divisions, which is one of Myanmar’s main rice growing and fish producing areas.

“Currently, 75 percent of the farmers in the country’s main food-producing region lack sufficient seed, with little time left before the end of planting season in August, the statement said.

It said FAO will use the fund to help supply small-scale farmers with paddy seed, fertilisers, draught animals, water pumps and equipment to accelerate land preparation, planting as well as to vaccinate farm animals.

The agency also aimed to use the funding to help landless labourers to plant fruit and vegetable gardens of their own, it said.

The statement said the new funding would also be use to help more than 100,000 affected by the storm by providing fishing gear.

“FAO activities also aim to restore livelihoods in coastal communities by establishing nurseries and through mangrove reforestation activities, which will also contribute to protecting communities from waves and storm surges in the future,” the statement said.