WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are providing an initial $250,000 for emergency relief assistance to help those who have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Nargis. USAID has also pre-positioned emergency response experts nearby and is prepared to deploy a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to assist the people of Burma.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the Burmese people and those who lost loved ones in this major natural disaster," said USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore. "The road to recovery will be long, but the United States stands prepared to provide additional assistance should it be requested by the Union of Burma government."

Tropical Cyclone Nargis made landfall at approximately 16:00 local time Friday, May 2nd to the west of Rangoon in the Irrawaddy River Delta. At landfall Nargis had winds of approximately 132 miles per hour, and the rain and wind damage in the aftermath of the storm is of concern to relief organizations.

To provide relief assistance to Burmese in need, the United States will work with other donors and international relief organizations already working in the disaster region.

For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance.

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