Dear John,

Cyclone Mocha has made disastrous landfall in Myanmar, Bangladesh and the broader region. Perhaps you caught the news of heavy rains, flooding and winds of up to 250km – but you might not have heard that tens of thousands of families are in need of emergency aid.

In Myanmar, my colleagues there have told me that the cyclone – the strongest in recent years – has been devastating. The damage is such that its magnitude has yet to be fully assessed. Needs among already vulnerable communities, particularly displaced people, are going to be extremely high.

In neighbouring Bangladesh, thousands of families have also been affected and lost their homes and belongings – especially in the Rohingya refugee camps of Teknaf and neighbouring local communities.

UNHCR teams are already on the ground in both countries, rushing to respond to this latest disaster. With authorities, refugees, communities and partners, we had already been on high alert, preparing for the storm’s arrival by prepositioning supplies, evacuating those most at risk, putting response plans in place and doing emergency response trainings in communities – but we need your help now.

You can help provide life-saving support to families who have been impacted, including shelter and emergency kits such as tarpaulins, hygiene items and clean water.

Many families have already been through so much – from being forced to flee persecution and conflict, to living in overcrowded conditions, to repeated threats from monsoon season year after year. They have survived more suffering than anyone should have to endure.

Please help these families who have been affected by yet another tragedy. Donate today.

Thank you for your generosity,

Breno Valentini
International Supporter Care
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency