MYANMAR/BURMA CYCLONE
Emergency Alert - Updated May 16, 2008
You can help
our local partners
provide needed assistance.
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Background:
On May 2, 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar (Burma). This Category 3 cyclone carried wind speeds reaching 120 mph. The storm first struck in the Irrawady delta region, near Yangon, around 4 p.m. and brought with it an estimated 12-ft. tidal surge that wiped out most of the homes in the lower lying regions.
The United Nations is reporting that 2.5 million people are in need of immediate assistance and the official death toll has climbed to almost 80,000 with more than 55,000 people still reported as missing.
“Although getting aid into the region has been difficult,” said LWR president John Nunes, “it is imperative that we be prepared to increase our response once greater access is granted.”
“With the number of people dead and displaced in the region and the enormous potential for disease and starvation, relief workers have very little time to head off this health crisis,” says Nunes. “We must assist the people of Myanmar (Burma) as soon as possible.”
| LWR AND PARTNERS RESPOND TO THE CRISIS |
LWR is providing relief to the region through our international partners in the global aid alliance, Action by Churches Together (ACT) International. LWR has pledged an initial $50,000 to ACT to aid in their response. Using pre-existing local partnerships LWR and ACT have already provided assistance to over 100,000 people on the ground by providing clean water, emergency food and non-food items.
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.
