MYANMAR/BURMA CYCLONE
Emergency Alert - Updated February 4, 2009
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 lower-lying regions.
140,000 people were killed or remain missing. An estimated 2.4 million people were affected by the storm.
Aid efforts have turned from rescue and relief to recovery, focusing on the country’s battered agricultural sector in particular. Aid to farmers including seeds, fertilizer, and equipment will help farmer’s continue to plant the rice crop which is crucial to feeding the country.
The dry planting season has begun, when farmers can begin growing new crops to earn funds and feed their families. Farmers are facing a variety of challenges, including seed reserves damaged by the cyclone, persistent flooding and other hazards affecting their farms.
| 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. Immediate response included provision of food, water and emergency shelter to those affected by the cyclone.
In the post-disaster response to the crisis, LWR’s partners are providing improved access to drinking water and assisting communities in rebuilding houses and schools. Construction is underway on cyclone shelters which will offer protection if future cyclones hit Myanmar. LWR’s partners are also offering trainings and other programs to help communities better respond to future disasters.
Our ACT partners have reported the following progress on the ground:
- Over 216,000 people assisted so far
- 21,602 farming household received seeds, farming tools and financial assistance to rekindle agriculture efforts in the region
- 143 vulnerable families that rely on fishing received boats, fishing nets and fishing traps
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.
