Open Society Institute Denounces Burmese Junta's Slow Response to Cyclone NargisCyclone Nargis Appeal: Organizations with Local Networks in Burma
Avaaz.org is a global online movement with millions of members. Avaaz.org is concerned that the junta can easily delay, divert, or misuse aid. They are partnering with the International Burmese Monks Organization (IBMO) and other local organizations to aid people directly through local networks.
Community Development and Civic Empowerment Program, based in Thailand, will deliver funds (and possibly goods such as Oral Rehydration Salts and water purifying tablets) to local community organizations in Burma. Contact: natta@chiangmai.ac.th
Foundation for the People of Burma's mission is to provide humanitarian aid to Burmese people of all ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs. FPB works directly with local organizations inside Burma, where the have been working since 1999. Since May 7th they have been able to get food aid to Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, and five relief camps in the areas around Rangoon.
International Burmese Monks Organization. Burmese monks outside of Burma are fundraising and will send money directly to monastic networks inside Burma to provide much-needed aid. Many villagers are seeking refuge inside temples.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - Red Cross teams are now on the ground assessing damages in all five affected regions of Myanmar. IFRC says its top relief priority is shelter. The IFRC is supporting the Myanmar Red Cross in their efforts to hand out relief supplies. The first plane carrying supplies from Kuala Lampur was able to land late at night on May 8, 2008.
Mae Tao Clinic, based in Thailand, is located on the Thai-Burma border but is also working in Rangoon and the Irrawaddy areas. The Mae Tao Clinic, together with the National Health and Education Committee, Burma Medical Association, and Back Pack Health Worker Team, are coordinating with a network of concerned Burmese individuals and local organizations to determine the needs in the disaster zones and provide relief supplies.
Medecins Sans Frontieres Holland teams with over 1,200 Burmese working on the ground to distribute food and plastic sheeting. They have also begun treating water in Yangon. MSF teams have been able to assess all areas in Yangon, the country's biggest city, and are in the process of trying to evaluate areas outside Yangon that may have been harder hit. They provide medical consultation, build latrines and are treating people who have fled to monasteries.
Thailand Burma Border Consortium, based in Thailand, provides relief to Burmese refugees in Thailand and addresses root causes of displacement in Eastern Burma.
Save the Children is mobilizing 500 staff in 30 offices and has distributed tons of food, plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, kitchen equipment, re-hydration salts and other non-food items to over 50,000 children and families whose homes have been destroyed.
Thirst-Aid is taking donations for water purification tablets. Tax deductible donations can be made to World Aid. Please write checks with "cyclone relief" at the bottom and send to 2422 S. Ferdinand Street, Seattle, WA 98108. Thirst aid has two factories that manufacture point of use ceramic water filters are working overtime to produce filters. In country health partners are working to set up water distribution centers that will provide safe water and re-hydration solutions for those in need.
US Campaign for Burma is raising funds for intermediate relief that will help people to rebuild their communities and homes. The people of Burma will be rebuilding their lives for a long time, and these funds will go directly to organizations inside Burma.
The World Food Programme has sent aircraft loaded with critically needed food aid and other relief items. The supplies will help augment stocks of WFP food already in-country when the crisis began. >WFP now has food stocks available in WFP warehouses in Yangon, and will deliver these food resources to all areas in need, including the Irrawaddy Division, the largest and hardest hit of the five major Divisions affected by the cyclone.
World Vision is distributing water and food in Yangon. It is appealing for $3 million (USD) to support its efforts. They have delivered rice, drinking water, and diesel fuel to allow generator pumps to continue pumping water. Clothing, blankets and tarpaulins have also been distributed to people living in and around Yangon. The agency is coordinating with authorities to explore an airlift of emergency supplies into the country.
Note: Individuals interested in directly supporting the people of Burma can also consider funding Burmese organizations based along Burma's borders in Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and China.
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