register as 'foreign agents' and to file quarterly reports on their finances. Southeast Asia Cyclone Nargis: The Irrawaddy Delta area of Burma was devastated by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, leaving more than 130,000 people dead or missing and a million displaced. Since Merlin teams were already working in Burma before the cyclone, they were among the first to deliver a response to the diasaster, setting up first aid points in Laputta and treating at least 250 patients a day in the first week. The Asian tsunami: Merlin arrived in Sri Lanka less than 48 hours after the tsunami disaster of December 2004, and was the first international health non-governemtal organisation to plan a co-ordinated relief effort with the local Ministry of Health. They also had teams on the ground in Indonesia and Burma. By the end of 2007 Merlin had helped an estimated 287,000 households in Ampara and Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, by constructing and rehabilitating clinics and hospitals damaged by conflict and the tsunami. Hands Up for Health Workers campaign Hands Up for Health Workers is Merlin's campaign to combat the global shortage of skilled health workers. Merlin campaigns for national governments and international donors to develop national health workforce plans to train, equip, pay and support health workers in crisis countries. Funding The majority of funds comes from institutional donors, which include the UK's Department for International Development, the United States Agency for International Development and the European Commission. As a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which coordinates fundraising appeals for major disasters overseas, Merlin also receives an allocation of the total amounts raised. A small but increasing percentage is voluntary income. This includes private grant-making trusts and foundations, companies and donations from members of the public. Individuals organise diverse fundraising events, as well as being sponsored to take part in various 'challenge events' such as: The London Marathon The Welsh 3000s The London to Paris Bike Ride The Run to the Beat Half Marathon The Great South Run Skydiving Footnotes References t Health charities in the United Kingdom International organisations based in London Organisations based in the London Borough of Islington Organizations established in 1993 1993 establishments in the United Kingdom