Emergency Response

May 7, 2008

Photos by ACT International

On May 2-3 Myanmar (Burma) was struck by the worst Asian cyclone since 1991, triggering a storm surge and flooding in the five worst hit states, where more than half of the country’s 53 million people live. Reports suggest that as many as 100,000 people may have been killed and one million displaced. Tens of thousands of people are missing. The full extent of the destruction to property and infrastructure is massive and still being ascertained. Relief delivery infrastructure and capacity in Myanmar (Burma) is limited and authorities have been slow to grant access to international aid organizations, raising the prospect of even greater suffering. However, it appears that permission is now being granted to foreign aid organizations and workers to enter the country.

United Church of Canada partner, Action by Churches Together (ACT) has a long history of support and work through local organizations in Myanmar (Burma). ACT is a global alliance of faith-based relief organizations that work through local and regional partners. ACT-supported local organizations are already responding through the distribution of rice, clean water and temporary shelter items.

What the United Church Is Doing

The United Church has responded immediately to the crisis by committing $100,000 for relief aid and reconstruction purposes. The funds will be channelled through ACT. Priority needs are for water purification tablets, plastic sheeting, basic medical kits, bed nets, and food. The church will also be considering funding additional relief efforts mobilized by partner organizations in the region.

The United Church Launches an Appeal

Photos by ACT International

To fund its humanitarian response, the United Church has launched an emergency appeal for donations designated for cyclone relief and reconstruction in Myanmar (Burma). As always with United Church emergency appeals, 100 percent of the donations received for the Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal will be committed to relief and reconstruction. This is made possible thanks to the generous ongoing support of United Church members to the church’s Mission and Service Fund. These contributions allow the United Church to absorb the staffing and administration costs of processing donations for emergency appeals.

How United Church Members Can Help

• Pray: Our thoughts and prayers go out to our sisters and brothers who have been affected by Cyclone Nargis.
• Donate: Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Church's Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal either through their local congregation or directly to The United Church of Canada's national office, 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4 or through our secure online donations page. Cheques and online donations should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked "Cyclone Nargis Appeal."

Please note: Supragifts cannot be counted as M&S Fund credits. However, they are eligible for tax receipts. Congregational treasurers may receive and receipt individual cheques and then forward one congregational cheque to the United Church.

For further information please contact:

Gary Kenny
Program Coordinator for Southern Africa/Emergency Response
Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor St. West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M8X 2Y4
Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4051
Fax: 416-231-3103
E-mail: Gary Kenny