MYANMAR/BURMA CYCLONE
Emergency Alert - Updated September 26, 2008
You can help
our local partners
provide needed assistance.
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Background:
On May 2, 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck the Ayeyarwady and Yangon divisions of Myanmar (Burma). This Category 3 cyclone, carrying wind speeds up to 120 m.p.h., brought with it an estimated 12-ft. tidal surge that destroyed most of the homes in the lower-lying regions.
The United Nations is reporting that 140,000 people were killed or remain missing. An estimated 2.4 million people were affected by the storm.
While relief workers continue to provide water, food, and shelter assistance, efforts are also underway to begin post-crisis recovery, including programs to help farmers prepare lands for growing crops.
| LWR AND PARTNERS RESPOND TO THE CRISIS |
LWR is responding through our international partners in the global aid alliance, Action by Churches Together (ACT) International. Efforts currently underway include:
- Provision of food, water and temporary shelter to the affected communities
- Cash-for-work programs to help people generate income and begin recovery
- Provision of rice seed, fertilizer and farming tools to rekindle agriculture efforts in the region
Work also continues to improve the people’s ability to withstand future disasters. Our ACT partners have reported the following progress on the ground:
- 171,600 people assisted so far
- 2,815 water baskets distributed — each basket providing clean water to up to 250 people
- Assistance to 60,000 people who have lost their homes
- Food assistance for 35,000 people
The best way to assist people caught in an emergency is to give cash so that our partner staff on the ground can be most effective.
To contribute online, click below. You will be given the opportunity to choose “Myanmar/Burma Cyclone” for your contribution.
Your gift will be used to respond to the “Myanmar/Burma Cyclone” until needs there are met. After that, further gifts will be used to help LWR respond where the need is greatest. Please also consider making an unrestricted donation which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.
During regular business hours, Monday through Friday, you may also call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2, or mail a check or money order to:
Lutheran World Relief -
Myanmar/Burma Cyclone
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
USA
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802 (office), 443-220-3269 (cell), esollie@lwr.org
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility. LWR is a member of Action by Churches Together.
