MANILA, Philippines -- Let?s return the favor.

This was the call of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) on Monday as it sought aid for the people of Myanmar who were devastated by the 12th worst storm in recorded human history.

?As we remember the help given by the international community during our time of need such as the catastrophes of Typhoon Reming and the Quezon Landslides, we hope that the Filipino nation would return the favor to our neighbors and lend a hand to the people of Myanmar in their own time of dire need,? the PNRC statement read.

On Monday, the International Red Cross, together with the United Nations, delivered its first batch of relief goods including water, plastic sheeting, clothing and bed-nets to Myanmar reportedly using helicopters for their distribution with roads rendered impassable.

The PNRC is sending a delegation as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' Regional Disaster Response Team to assess and analyze the situation in the affected areas.

Pointing out that with as many as 1.5 million people in Myanmar severely affected by the ninth worst devastating cyclone ?Nargis? and with hundreds of thousands of people left with no access to clean water and shelter, the PNRC said that cash donations were badly needed for the purchase of basic supplies, emergency tents, plastic sheets, and canned goods.

?With flooded areas serving as potential mosquito breeding grounds, the threat of malaria and dengue is as serious as the cyclone itself. We appeal for cash donations to purchase medicines, water purifying tablets and oral rehydration salts,? the agency said, adding that donors can call the PNRC through telephone numbers 5270000 or 143.

Donations online through credit cards are also accepted through www.redcross.org.ph.

The Myanmar government has reported that more than 22,000 people have perished and another 40,000 remain missing as a result of the devastation of Cyclone Nargis.