Myanmar Disaster Relief
Report from the field - 5/25/2008
Sitting and Waiting
Reach Myanmar arrived at Yee Dwin Kong village in the Delta region on May 25, over 3 weeks after the cyclone hit. They traveled by truck and then by boat. All along the way south, they saw in increasing number of dead bodies and dead animals, bloated and floating in the river. They passed many villages along the way. Some were completely destroyed. Others had very few inhabitants. Those who survived were just sitting in makeshift shelters, waiting. And waiting. Hoping that donors would come and bring them some relief from their suffering. They had no food and only the clothes they wore on their backs. As people starved to death or succumbed to disease, they weakly tossed them in the river and watched them float away. Dazed and with vacant stares, they were still waiting after 3 weeks.
Upon arriving in Yee Dwin Kong village, Reach Myanmar found that of the 300 households, only 4 houses remained, and those were barely inhabitable. Most of the people in this village are fishermen. Over 80% of the fishing boats and equipment were destroyed. The men and women in the village said that Nargis wiped them out. They lost their futures and their families. They have no money to start up their businesses again and they can’t even begin to think of their children’s education, as all the schools were destroyed. The children have nothing to do. So they join their parents and sit and wait for people or the government or anyone to help.
Reach Myanmar was able to help 1200 people, distributing rice, clothing and candles. They also provided tarpaulin for 35 families.
There are thousands more like them who are just sitting and waiting… and dying for help.
Report from the field - 5/10/2008
A Mynamar leader has mobilized students to deliver supplies and help with rebuilding in the name of Christ. Here is his latest update:
Dear Friends,
Praise the Lord for allowed us to begin relief work in a community in Yangon, near our bible college and where we have outreach ministry with local church and Bible College's students. We distributed rice and others need for 36 families and help build 10 houses today. We work from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with our students and young people from the church work together. Tomorrow we will be helping other community where we have outreach ministry in Yangon. We will go step by step to other communities in Yangon. Some place cannot be rebuild now due to muddy and still water in the places.
Please pray for more to people to join us in relief work locally (man power). Thank you so much for your help and pray for our people
What you can do
» Pray for the survivors and their needs today and tomorrow.
» Pray for God’s provision of resources through His Church to meet those needs.
» Pray for our ministry partners on the ground in Myanmar to be a bold witness in word and deed.
» Download a bulletin insert about the urgent need, our response and how you can give.
» Donate to provide relief to those in need
You can also call our donor services team at (800) 745-2202 or mail in a donation. Please make checks out to EFCA and send to:
EFCA
Attn: Crisis Response Ministry 21709-3989
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300
