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| Please Help the Myanmar Relief Effort |
Affected Population: The cyclone hit the Southeast Asian nation early on Saturday, May 3.
Parents have told stories of having children ripped from their arms by the ferocious winds and
swirling tides. More than 77,000 people have been confirmed dead and another 55,000 people are
missing. Many observers expect the death toll to continue to rise because some of the hardest hit
areas along the Irrawaddy River are still inaccessible.
HISG Relief Effort: HISG is connecting with partnering organizations in and around Myanmar
to provide relief to the people. We have six containers with thousands of meals, clothing, water
purification systems and much more ready to be delivered as soon as the government allows. Within
a few days, we hope to identify locations where aid could be delivered and distributed. HISG
partners are also preparing for the long-term process of rebuilding homes, businesses, and lives.
Click here to find how how you can get involved.
Urgent Needs: Medicine and medical supplies are much needed. In 2000 the World Health
Organization ranked Myanmar's overall health care system as the second worst in the world. Food
is another need, as prices have skyrocketed, with some staples tripling in cost. Many communities
desperately need clean water and water purifiers because thousands of displaced people are living
in close quarters where infectious diseases are easily spread. There is also an urgent need for
tents and other temporary shelters for all the families whose homes have been destroyed. Aside
from these physical needs there are other challenges for aid organizations. Communication is a
problem because most powerlines and phone lines have been knocked down. Transportation is also
difficult because of fuel shortages, blocked roads, and many of the smaller boats that would be
used to reach flooded areas were destroyed by the cyclone.
HISG Presence: HISG has strong relationships with local aid organizations in Southeast
Asia. We were heavily involved in
relief projects after the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Our warehouse sent
several containers to affected areas of Indonesia and outfitted a hospital near ground zero. HISG
has also helped start small businesses to assist in the community development of the affected
areas. In addition, HISG staff has taught disaster response in Malaysia, the Philippines and
Thailand, which neighbors Myanmar.
Please consider a
donation to HISG disaster relief efforts in Myanmar. Thank you for your care and
concern for the people affected by this catastrophe.
Reference Links for More Information:
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People waiting in line for water
Photo courtesy of AFP/Hla Hla Htay |
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Living in the temporary shelters
Photo courtesy of the AP |
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Destruction in the Yangon harbor
Photo by Khin Maung Win AFP/Getty Images |
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More of the devastation
Photo courtesy of BBC News Online |
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