The FDFA?s Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is stepping up its assistance for victims of tropical cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. On 2 May 2008, this cyclone left a trail of utter devastation through the country?s southern coastal region. Locally based humanitarian organizations fear that it has already claimed 100,000 lives and, according to the UN, the fate of 1.5 million people depends on rapid international assistance, with drinking water, food, medicines and emergency accommodation materials being the most pressing needs.