Burma currently faces a major humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Nargis, which has killed approximately 120,000 people and has affected an estimated 1.7 million people. The story has faded from the news quickly, but emergency supplies and support are still needed. Large parts of the population remain without drinking water, food, and shelter.
You can help out by donating to reliable Non-Governmental institutions and Relief Agencies currently providing assistance to those affected by the cyclone. While it is true that the military junta in Burma is slowing relief efforts, it is not the case that relief efforts are fruitless. Doctors Without Borders, and The Mae To Clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand are all providing tireless assistance. Please help with whatever you can, as Non-Governmental Organizations are Burma’s only current means of support and much is still needed.
Agencies: The Mae To Clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand, provides medical care to refugees and migrant workers. You can donate at: www.maetaoclinic.org/donate.html
Doctors Without Borders are proving drinking water, food, and first emergency items. You can make a one-time donation to their organization here.
5 responses so far ↓
1 EW // May 18, 2008 at 9:28 am
I don’t think it’s “faded from the news.” It’s been in most news sources I read pretty steadily. In any case, are NGOs really helping all that much? I don’t think much aid has actually made it to the places that need it most.
2 Jackson // May 18, 2008 at 10:16 am
Maybe my perception of news is affected by Taiwanese news, which is focusing almost all of its airtime on the earthquake in China.
And yes, NGOs are helping, especially the ones on the Thai border that are able to treat people that can get across. Doctors without Borders has distributed 275 tons of food already despite not yet being able to access the areas hit hardest.
I guess bottom line if I’ll pay 20 bucks for a stattracker to check my fantasy baseball team live I think it’s worth a donating to this.
3 Jackson // May 18, 2008 at 10:20 am
From the latest Doctors Without Borders press release:
* MSF teams are increasing their efforts in some of the worst-affected areas of the Irrawady Delta: Bogaley, Pathien (Bassein), Laputta, and southwest along the Pathien (Bassein) River
* A full charter with 40 tons of supplies is departing from Bordeaux, France, Friday, May 9, 2008 at 4 pm CET. Planes with 160 tons are planned for the coming days
* MSF has 43 international staff and 1,200 national staff throughout the country, 70 staff in southwest delta area with many more on the way. Teams are treating wounded, distributing food, and providing water and relief items
* MSF is continuing its efforts to get increased access for staff and relief material
4 EW // May 18, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Oh, I know. Totally a worthy cause. However, it bothers me that the junta has been confiscating aid supplies and relabeling them to make them look like they came from Myanmar’s government. It’s much harder to see where your money goes in this crisis than it has been in others.
5 Brian // May 18, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Thanks for the links.
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