The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
issued a report Friday, detailing actions to be taken in the wake of a
landslide in Burma on July 4 that killed at least 30 people.
The
OCHA report said more than 700 people are in need of aid after mud and
water washed away dozens of miners' homes at a jade mine near Phakant,
900 kilometers north of Rangoon, Burma's main city.
The
organization said food, drinking water and medical supplies are
anticipated as main priority needs. OCHA said that so far, there has
been good cooperation between agencies and local authorities.
It
added that U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations working
around the area are assessing their individual stockpiles in order to
plan and coordinate distributions and support.
Local sources said the disaster was caused by the mine, which piled up tailings (debris) that blocked the flow of the Uru River.
Landslides are common in Burma's jade mining areas during the rainy season.
Jade exports are a major source of foreign currency for Burma's military government.
News
