PC(USA) - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)


	Frequently Asked Questions Myanmar/Burma Response updated May 2008


	Is PC(USA) responding to the disaster in Myanmar? What has been accomplished so far? Can U.S. funds be sent to Myanmar? How do you know that aid is getting through? Has PDA been able to communicate with anyone in Myanmar? What kind of accountability system do you have? How can I help? Do you have any resources my church can use?


	1. Is PC(USA) responding to the disaster in Myanmar? PC(USA), through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, is working in partnership with Action by Churches Together (ACT) and other ecumenical partners to meet the immediate needs of cyclone survivors. Action by Churches Together (ACT) is an international alliance of approximately 175 church-based relief organizations. ACT members’ strong local roots enable the alliance to provide locally based knowledge, analysis and understanding of emergencies and disasters. PDA is an ACT member with full access for participation and information related to disaster responses. ACT member representatives have been assessing the impact on the ground with local organizations. Initial reports indicate that the devastation is overwhelming, with little assistance having been delivered to communities. The most urgent needs are food, water, medicine and shelter.



	2. What has been accomplished so far? PDA’s direct 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. PDA has committed $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds towards the response, half of which has already been sent. Partners in Myanmar are already distributing food, clean water and emergency shelter materials to survivors in the affected areas.



	3. Can U.S. funds be sent to Myanmar? Church World Service, a co-member with PDA of ACT, has been appropriately licensed by the U.S. government to provide financial aid in Myanmar. Myanmar also still has open land-trade routes with Thailand and India that allow for the importation of relief supplies. In addition, the CWS Asia Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok is coordinating the response of ACT.



	4. How do you know that aid is getting through? Based on our long-time relationship with ACT, we are confident that our partners are reaching people in the affected areas and will effectively distribute resources to those who need it most. ACT members have a long history of work within Myanmar and their relationships with local organizations are proving critical to our humanitarian response. Because our partners live and work in the affected communities, they were able to respond immediately to the disaster. Due to security sensitivities, we are unable to publicly provide the names of our partners.



	5. Has PDA been able to communicate with anyone in Myanmar? Despite increasing access and communication challenges, the ACT Coordinating Office is in regular contact with our rapid support team along with ACT members, which have a presence on the ground. An ACT member from the region was able to obtain a visa and arrived in the country on Thursday, May 8. He has been helping with the coordination and facilitation of the relief efforts.



	6. 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.



	7. How can I help? You can help Cyclone Nargis disaster survivors: Pray. Pray for all those whose lives have been affected directly and indirectly by the cyclone, and for those working with them toward recovery. Give through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Your generous contributions will help the PC(USA) work through PDA to be a witness to Christ’s healing love. Through this ministry of compassion and relief, donations will help meet people’s physical needs and provide emotional and spiritual care to survivors and those who care for them. Donations to DR000145 (Disaster Response – Myanmar) can be made online by credit card or by calling PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283. Checks may be sent directly to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. Church gifts may be sent to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Church Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643678, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3678 or you can give through your congregation’s normal giving channels. Stay informed through reading regular Web updates on this unfolding response or by calling PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283.



	8. Do you have any resources my church can use? Various downloadable resources including litanies, prayers and a hymn are available on the PDA Web site. The appeal that was mailed to all PC(USA) congregations and a bulletin insert are also available.



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Frequently Asked Questions

Myanmar/Burma Response