Here is an expanded version of the bit of good news posted yesterday from a member of the Health Cluster:

"Since the cyclone, all ART service providers in the affected areas (including MSF-Holland, Dept of Health at Wabagi and Mingaladon Hospitals, AFXB, AMI) are functioning.  Most service points delivering ART are taking special measures to track and assess patients' needs and drug supplies.  The Myanmar Positive Group in collaboration with local community organizations such as Phoenix group and with support from HIV/AIDS Alliance and UNDP and other organizations working with self-help groups such as AFXB are tracking all their members and organizing to ensure that relief supplies, including shelter rehabilitation, are being provided.   

Community organization Pyi Gyi Khin and AFXB are organizing support for self-help group members in the delta.  UNICEF has been providing drugs and other supplies to organizations in supporting people living with HIV.  Dept of Health with WHO has confirmed that 100% of methadone recipients in the affected area (all in Yangon) are accessing daily methadone.  UNFPA is providing emergency reproductive health, dignity and clean delivery kits and assisting with damaged supplies at the Dept of Health.  UNAIDS is coordinating those partners focused on HIV to ensure that they are accessing the UN-led cluster system response, and to promote appropriate strategies to integrate HIV into the response."

The real heroes of the last two weeks have been the Burman and nonBurman people of Myanmar who have helped each other in very difficult conditions. As Asian and now nonAsian international "experts" now flood into the Delta [him] hopes that they see that in the crisis of Nargis relief and rehabilitation lies the opportunity for local experts and local organisations to further learn and manage their own operations.

[him] moderator