Friday, May 09, 2008

*STICKY POST* Myanmar Cyclone Nargis: How to Help

Dear Friends, I hope no one wouldn't mind it if I keep this post sticky for a while.

Update 7th May 2008: It seems the Myanmar government figures on the casualty toll differs from the figures cited by US diplomats in the country:

"There may well be over 100,000 deaths in the delta area," Shari Villarosa, the US charge d'affaires in Yangon, told reporters in Washington on a conference call, citing a non-governmental organisation she would not name. [Source]

Right now, the Myanmar government and their visa restrictions are making it difficult for the foreign aid workers to enter the country. During the earthquakes in 2003 and 2005, Iran and Pakistan waived visas for aid workers. The Iranian and Pakistani government understood what was at stake and adapted accordingly.

It makes me angry that the Myanmar junta is more concern with control than the lives of its people.


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Some of you may be aware of the recent Cyclone Nargis that devastated Myanmar earlier this week. The Myanmar government has raised its death toll to nearly 22,500 with another 41,000 missing. More than 1 million are currently homeless.

If you're outside Asia but is interested to help, you might like to contact any of these organisations:

  1. UNICEF
  2. American Red Cross
  3. Direct Relief International
  4. World Vision

More links at Network For Good

If you're from Singapore, you can contact:

  1. Singapore Red Cross, at 15 Penang Lane, or call 6334 9152/53 for more information.
  2. Mercy Relief. You can call at 1900 112 1010 for a S$10 donation, or 1900 112 1050 for a S$50 donation. Crossed cheques made out to "Mercy Relief Limited" can be sent to 172 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118558. Mercy Relief also accepts transfers via ATM or through internet banking. Its DBS account number is 054-900493-6.
  3. World Vision Singapore is also collecting donations for the victims in Myanmar. Besides ATM funds transfer to its DBS Autosave Account (001-030600-6) or its Standard Chartered Bank Fusion Account (130-830-6900), the public can also send cash or cheques made out to "World Vision International" to its office at 10 Anson Road, #13-08, International Plaza, Singapore 079903.

(All Singapore aid contacts provided by Channelnewasia.)

If you can, please spread the news. See if anyone is interested in helping.

Thank you.

8 comments:

Ana S. said...

Somehow I had completely missed the news about this. wow, that is a lot of people :( Thanks for spreading the word.

Anonymous said...

The news in the States is reporting 100,000 dead and or missing and aid agencies are frustrated because the Myanmar government is being very slow to let them in to help. Makes me want to cry every time I turn on the news. Thanks for the links.

darkorpheus said...

Nymeth It happened very fast. The more I read about it, the angrier I get. The Myanmar government has at least 2 days forewarning -- and they did NOTHING!

Stefanie There's definitely some figures disparities here. I am inclined to think the military government is downplaying the deaths reported to "save face". They are doing a crap job of getting aid to the people.

I want to cry too - so many dead and the delays in getting the water, food and medicine to the survivors.

But right now I am working on angry. Angry gets me going and it keeps me from falling into depression.

Heather said...

THis makes me so angry and sad. It also makes me feel VERY lucky to live in a country like the one I do.

darkorpheus said...

Heather Oh yes, we are lucky we don't live in a country with an utterly corrupted regime like Myanmar. But it's a good reminder that democracy should never be taken for granted.

Anonymous said...

From the Google search main page, you can click on the "Support Cyclone Victims" link which will take you to direct electronic transfer to UNICEF and Direct Relief International. Make a donation and help out, now!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the posting & the links.

darkorpheus said...

Matt: Thanks for telling me about the google links. Please help spread the word too.

Ovidia You're welcome. It's depressing reading the news everyday about this and not try to do SOMETHING.