I work with the organization, Give2Asia and we work with more than 17 countries in Asia. Unfortunately, Burma was not one of those countries - until now. This week, we have been working around the clock to gather information and assess the situation in Burma. We have received many requests for help and have launched a fund for disaster relief. You will find below a description of our efforts and some background about the current situation in the disaster-affected Ayeyarwaddy division of Burma.
Give2Asia: Burma cyclone Relief Effort
Give2Asia, a U.S. public charity with a local network across Asia, is conducting a Burma Cyclone Relief Effort via the Disaster Recovery Focus Fund for emergency relief following the devastation left by Cyclone Nargis that struck Burma on May 4, 2008. A deadly cyclone in Burma has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. There has been widespread destruction including power and telecommunication breakdown, and many thousands are missing and feared dead. More than a million people have become homeless and there is an acute shortage of food and water.
Today’s situation
Give2Asia’s contact person who is currently in Burma reported this morning:
“the situation in the delta and coastal regions are becoming increasingly dire each day. Internal migrants have clustered in neighboring towns and villages both in search of water and to escape the smell of dead bodies. They have the clothes on their backs but little else. The next week is crucial as they struggle against dehydration, starvation and disease. In addition, there are almost no sanitation facilities to clean wounds from the storm's damage and an overwhelming lack of medical supplies. According to the World Health Organization, in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Division alone, 26 makeshift relief camps have been set up to accommodate over 100,000 refugees. Estimates range from 2 to 4 million people who are homeless and vulnerable. The need for outside assistance is staggering.”
Give2Asia’s Cyclone Relief Effort
On May 6, 2008, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury issued a General License thereby allowing all U.S. non-profits or non-governmental organizations to send humanitarian assistance to Burma as long as it is not directly to the government or persons specifically sanctioned under U.S. law. Give2Asia, which has not and normally could not grant funds for programs in Burma, has therefore decided to support relief efforts following this temporary relaxation of funding restrictions as Give2Asia has a wide network and contacts in or are familiar with Burma. Give2Asia will support the relief efforts of onsite, capable partners both local and international, including the following two organizations.
1. Metta Development Foundation
Metta was part of the 2004 tsunami relief efforts in southern Myanmar and have maintained a presence there that is now being utilized. Metta has over 450 committed staff members and nearly 11 years experience in the field. Their project workers have started providing relief aid the very day after Cyclone Nargis hit, serving about 2,100 lives since. Coordinating with UNWFP, UNICEF, UNDP, ADRA and PACT, Metta is currently distributing food, water, medical supplies and living essentials to the refugee camps in Ayeyarwaddy Division.
2. Foundation for the People for Burma (FPB)
The Foundation for the People for Burma (FPB) has been working with local community organizations in Burma since 1999. As FPB has worked in specific communities in Rangoon and southern Burma for many years, it is positioned to quickly address emergency needs in target geographies. This capability is critical as several international NGO’s await visas for personnel to begin working inside Burma.
The San Francisco Foundation, the Foundation for the People of Burma and Give2Asia hosted a in-person event and also a conference calling ability for those that could not join us. You can download the recording here:
Download Burma_conference_audio_recording
- Dien S. Yuen
