Cyclone Devastates Myanmar; Thousands Dead, Thousands More Reported Missing

Irawaddy region, Myanmar — Updated May 8, 2008 — The death toll from Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar escalated to an estimated 60,000 dead or missing people and possibly more, with the entire hard-hit Irawaddy region still inaccessible, according to state and local television reports.

IRD has sent an emergency assessment team to the country to get better estimates on the scope of the damage and continuing needs. The team plans to consider potential in-kind donations that can be shipped, particularly emergency non-food items,, as well as exploring the extent of the water and sanitation needs of survivors.

IRD is also working to lend its regional expertise to support the work of local organizations responding to the disaster. IRD already works in throughout the region to address food security and relief needs. It is important to remember that here at home we can still make a difference, that even the smallest contribution can help.

IRD Responds to Rising Food Prices Worldwide

Washington, DC — May 1, 2008 — In the past months, rising food prices have created an international crisis that the U.N. recently called a "silent tsunami". Every year, over 10 million children under five die from readily preventable diseases; more than half of those deaths are directly attributable to malnutrition.

IRD currently directly distributes food aid in four countries—Cambodia, Chad, Laos, and Niger—to address short-term food needs. By tapping into local expertise and developing market-based solutions, IRD ensures that in the long term, vulnerable people are better able to cope with increasing food prices and keep their families healthy. DONATE NOW >>

IRD Releases New Study Highlighting Malnutrition And Obesity Facing American Indian Populations

Kansas City, MO — Updated April 30, 2008 — The full study is now available online as a pdf.

Malnutrition is a growing issue for marginalized and underserved segments of the U.S. population, especially rural and reservation-based American Indians, finds a new study, commissioned by IRD and conducted by Dr. Michele Companion of the University of Colorado. The study examines the “double burden” of poverty: malnutrition along with a rapid rise in obesity and diet-related chronic diseases in American Indians. MORE>>

IRD also announced a petition to raise awareness about malnutrition among American Indians, originating with Mayor of Kansas City Mark Funkhouser, available to sign online. Help us make your voice heard on this issue.

Read both the Kansas City Star and Associated Press coverage of the event and the International Food Aid Conference in general. (Clips are in PDF format. Click here to get Acrobat Reader.)