Exotissimo Myanmar has already begun providing relief services. We sent a four-person team to the hard-hit Irrawaddy River delta to assess the situation and provide immediate and direct aid. Once on the ground, our team found that families really appreciated the private donations coming direct to them. We began our efforts with funds from Exotissimo Travel and the Appletree Group, and will continue as long as these funds and those from generous donors last.

On 10th May, our team visited a village opposite the western part of Yangon where 1300 families were affected by Nargis. 300 families were made homeless by the cyclone and diarrhea has already broken out among those in the public shelters. The government plans to setup a water purification facility. Exotissimo will build a small medical clinic to help the village. The 25 ft X 25 ft facility will cost 4000 USD, and be staffed by a volunteer doctor and nurse. Local Exotissimo staff donated their own personal resources to the victims of Nargis here.

On 11th May, Exotissimo sent a truck to Phyapone and Maubin towns in Irrawaddy River Delta. In these two towns, there are many victims taking shelter in monasteries and rescue camps. Upon arrival, our staff will personally distribute goods totaling 6000 USD, including food, clothing, mosquito nets and blankets.

Most parts of Yangon are now getting back to normal with electricity becoming available. Gradually, many shops and restaurants are opening. The transport is back since all roads are open. Important attractions are also back to normal such as Bogyoke Market (Scotts Market), Shwedagon and Sule Pagoda. National Museum and Kaba Aye Pagoda are still closed but will open soon.

Yangon is safe now and we would like to take this chance to report on hotel situation there. Even though most of places affected by the cyclone are busy with cleaning up fallen trees, branches, leaves and other wind-blown debris, there also are hotels undamaged, with services readily available.

Park Royal: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Summit Parkview: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Traders Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Strand Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Sedona Hotel Yangon: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Inya Lake Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working.

Chatrium (previously Nikko) Hotel: The hotel’s main building and garden were not damaged. Electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

And below are those hotel slightly affected by the cyclone. Some are back to normal operation with limitations while some are sill closed due to both the cyclone and low season.

Governor’s Residence: The hotel property itself sustained some damage, while there are a few guests during this time due to the low season. The hotel is unlikely to resume operations for at least 2 months. All guests and staff are safe.

For another property, the Road to Mandalay, it is still closed due to the low season. The ship now is in Yangon and was badly damaged.

Kandawgyi Palace Hotel: The hotel faced no major damage and therefore guests can stay there without being disturbed. Some windows and roofs are broken, yet these need only minor repair work. Electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Savoy Hotel: The hotel has been operated with generator with limited hours, and therefore the phone lines are not working properly at the moment. The hotel has been trying to get power as soon as possible. Internet connection is also not working.

Thamada Hotel: The hotel faced only minor damage. Elevators are not working at the moment but electricity and telephone are working.