On 2 and 3 May 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck the coast of Myanmar and moved inland across the Ayeyarwady Delta and southern Yangon Division, causing many deaths, destroying livelihoods, and disrupting economic activities and social conditions. This report describes the human loss and assessment of damage to physical assets, the subsequent losses sustained across all economic activities, and the impact of the disaster on both the national economy and household-level activities and well-being.
A comprehensive methodology was used to estimate humanitarian needs, damage to assets, changes in economic flows, and impacts on social and economic conditions. The estimates were based on information collected by the joint assessment teams during field surveys in the aftermath of the disaster. The assessment consisted of two components – the Village Tract Assessment (VTA) focusing on humanitarian needs, and the Damage and Loss Assessment (DALA) focusing on damage and losses. The analysis of the data has identified the needs and quantified financial requirements that will facilitate formulating comprehensive relief and early recovery actions, as well as medium- and long-term recovery plans, including disaster risk management. A continuation of the partnership between the Government of the Union of Myanmar, ASEAN and the international community that has marked this joint assessment will be essential to address these needs in the near, medium and longer term.
