With estimates of as many as 100,000 people dead in Myanmar, and fears of disease and food shortages on the way, Cyclone Nargis has created a major humanitarian crisis.
Episcopal Relief and Development is responding to this disaster with our Anglican and ecumenical partners. Please find below more information about our response, how you can help, and resources available for churches.
What is Episcopal Relief and Development doing to help?
We are working with Anglican and ecumenical partners to meet the immediate needs of victims by providing food, water and shelter. We have provided monetary support to our partners to obtain and distribute the necessary resources they need to assist victims.
We are reaching people in three affected areas: a suburban area of Yangon (Rangoon) and two areas in the Irrawaddy Division (East Delta and West Delta regions).
What has been accomplished so far?
Because our partners live and work in the affected communities, they were able to respond immediately to the disaster. One partner has already sent three assessment teams to assist and determine needs in the hard hit areas. They have established a relief committee to review the assessments and response required.
Episcopal Relief and Development’s assistance thus far has been to provide financial support to help our partners purchase critical goods and supplies. We know that financial support is crucial at this point so that our partners can secure and distribute emergency assistance.
We are confident that our church partners are reaching people in the affected areas, and will effectively distribute resources to those who need it most.
Has Episcopal Relief and Development been in communication with anyone in Myanmar?
As a result of the damage to infrastructure from the cyclone, it is difficult to count on normal communications at present. At this point, we are in limited communication with our church partner. However, we know from recent correspondence that our outreach work is profoundly appreciated. We will have more specific information about the situation in the hardest hit regions of the country later next week when our partner’s assessment teams return.
Will Episcopal Relief and Development staff be going to Myanmar soon?
We plan to send staff to Myanmar in the next few weeks. During this trip, staff will assist our partner in designing a long-term recovery plan based on the needs evident from the assessment. We also will provide ongoing support for those affected while the long-term recovery plan is being developed.
How long has Episcopal Relief and Development been working in Myanmar?
We have been working in Myanmar since 2006. Our programs have helped people achieve economic stability through education, vocational training, and micro-finance initiatives. We have also provided tools and training to improve the food supply and access to clean water.
What kind of accountability system do you have?
Since we have an established relationship with our local church partner in Myanmar, we have mechanisms for planning, reporting and accounting.
Will Episcopal Relief and Development be involved in long-term recovery and rehabilitation in Myanmar?
One of the most important features of our disaster relief work is the commitment to long-term recovery. After the first three to six months of a disaster, Episcopal Relief and Development stays in-country when most organizations leave. It generally takes five to eight years for a community to recover from a disaster on the scale of Cyclone Nargis.
We always follow the lead of our local partners in planning response and recovery activities in order to respect unique local context of the country in which we are working.
How can I help?
You can help victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.
- Give online at http://www.er-d.org/
- Call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129 (Monday- Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EDT)
- Mail gifts to: Episcopal Relief and Development “Myanmar and Cyclone Response Fund” P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Please be sure to designate all gifts to Episcopal Relief and Development’s “Myanmar and Cyclone Response Fund”
If you would like to make a donation outside of our normal business hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm EDT (Monday – Friday), please visit our website: http://www.er-d.org/ and designate your donation toward the Myanmar and Cyclone Response Fund. You also can mail contributions to our address listed above.Do you have any resources my church can use to let people know how to help?
Episcopal Relief and Development has a downloadable bulletin insert available for churches to copy and place in their Sunday service leaflets. Please ask your clergy to consider using this on May 11 or May 18.
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