For Immediate Release -- Thursday, May 8, 2008
United Church Launches Emergency Appeal for Myanmar (Burma)
Toronto: The United Church of Canada has announced that it is launching an emergency appeal for donations designated for cyclone relief and reconstruction in Myanmar (Burma).
As always with United Church emergency appeals, 100% of the donations received for the Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal will be committed to relief and reconstruction. This is made possible thanks t o 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 f or emergency appeals.
On May 2-3 Myanmar (Burma) was struck by the worst As ian cyclone since 1991, triggering a storm surge and flooding in the five worst hit states, where more than half of Myanmar's (Burma's) 53 million people live. Figures reported suggest as many as 100,000 people were killed and one million displaced. The numbers may be higher. The f ull extent of the destruction to property and infrastructure is massive and still being ascertained. Communication channels are slow and very limit ed.
The United Church of Canada is responding immediately to the crisis by committing $100,000 for relief aid and reconstruction purpo ses. The funds will be channelled through Action by Churches Toget her (ACT), a global alliance of faith-based relief organizations that wo rk through local and regional partners. 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.
Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Churc h's Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal either through their local congrega tion or directly to The United Church of Canada's national office , 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4. Cheques can be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked "Cycl one Nargis Appeal." You can also donate by using our secure online donations page at www.united-church.ca.
Further information about the United Church's response to the crisis in Myanmar (Burma) is being posted on The United Church of Canada's website (www.united-church.ca) and will be updated as new informati on becomes available.
For more information, please contact:
Mary-Frances Denis Communications Officer The United Church of Canada 416-231-7680 ext. 2016 (office) 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016 (toll-free) mdenis@united-church.ca
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