SITUATION IN MYANMAR: 1. Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 and 3 May 2008, sweeping through the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) delta region and the country?s largest city, Yangon.... 2. Based on the original Government estimates of 975,858 persons affected at three days after the disaster in the most seriously hit eight townships only, it is now estimated by the UN that at least 1,500,000 people are severely affected. Damage and needs assessments are ongoing in affected areas. The Government revised the initial declaration of five States and Divisions as disaster zones downwards to only Ayeyarwady (7 townships) and Yangon (40 townships) Divisions, on 6 May. Assessments by the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in Bago, Mon and Kayin suggested that they were less affected. The UN estimates that 5,000 square kilometres are still flooded.... 3. The authorities have reported 22,908 confirmed deaths and 42,119 missing by 8 May. The unofficial estimates are significantly higher. Most fatalities and damage were due to the storm surge, as well as the severe winds and rain. There is growing concern for the management of dead bodies.... 4. Assessments describe widespread destruction of housing and flooding, especially in delta areas, with contamination of a significant proportion of water sources. Pressing needs identified included food, water, water purification supplies and receptacles, sanitation facilities, including for shelter camps, roofing and construction materials, fuel, as well as essential medicines and treatment. The Government has estimated that 75% of schools in the seven severely affected townships have collapsed while remaining 25% have lost their roofs.... 5. Given the gravity of the situation including the lack of food and water, some partners have reported fears for security, and violent behaviour in the most severely afflicted areas. Some assessments have suggested that people are coping by migrating outwards from the most affected to less affected areas in search of the basic necessities.