Jakarta - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will soon send an emergency rapid assessment team (ERAT) to cyclone-devastated Myanmar to assist the local government in overcoming the impact of the natural disaster.

The team was formed by the ASEAN Secretariat in coordination with the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the Myanmar government, the ASEAN Secretariat said in a statement on Tuesday. The team will comprise experts with specific knowledge in coordination and liaison, water and sanitation, health, logistics and food, it said.

ERAT will be deployed in Yangon to complement the current rapid assessement efforts by the ASEAN Secretariat, the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team and the Myanmar government, it said.

The team will depart for Myanmar within 48 hours.

"Following ERAT's assessment, the teams from the ASEAN member states will be deployed to Myanmar to provide targeted assistance which supports the capacity of the Government of Myanmar to implement useful and effective aid distribution to the affected population," ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said.

 - Source : Antara News Agency, 14 May 2008