Photo: Eva Pineda Hansen, DCA/ACT
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the disaster relief ministry of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has committed $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds to provide emergency assistance to survivors of the devastating cyclone in Myanmar.
Cyclone Nargis, packing winds up to 120 miles per hour, swept through the country on Saturday. A storm surge with waves up to 12 feet high swept inland causing the death of at least 22,000 people with tens of thousands still missing. News reports predict the number of deaths could total as many as 80,000. The low-lying Irrawaddy Delta region, the country’s main agricultural area, suffered the most severe damage.
The situation in Myanmar is dire. U.N. officials have reported that close to 1 million people are homeless and priority needs are for water purification tablets, plastic sheeting, basic medical kits, bed nets and food. Power and water supply have been disconnected, and the price of food has multiplied since the storm.
The full extent of the damage throughout the country has not yet been determined. A marginal infrastructure has been further damaged resulting in poor communications and impassible roads. Power outages and scattered debris also hamper recovery efforts.
PDA's funds will support humanitarian relief items for disaster survivors. The response is focused on food first, from $40,000 to $50,000 in food aid — then shelter. PDA is responding in Myanmar as a member of and in partnership with Action by Churches Together (ACT) International and Church World Service. Both entities have local partners in Myanmar and will have representatives to help in the provision of relief items to cyclone survivors.
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