MYANMAR/BURMA CYCLONE
Emergency Alert - Updated July 21, 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. Government leaders have called for three days of mourning on behalf of the dead in the region.
On July 21st the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations reported that recovery in Myanmar will cost upwards of $1 billion over the next three years as the country struggles to re-establish its crops, provide aid to citizens, and rebuild the region destroyed by the cyclone.
| LWR AND PARTNERS RESPOND TO THE CRISIS |
Aid is reaching the people of Myanmar!
LWR is responding through our international partners in the global aid alliance, Action by Churches Together (ACT) International. ACT has 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.
