Destruction and Death Massive in Myanmar

Tuesday, May 6, A.D 2008

The death toll in Myanmar (Burma) from Cyclone Nargis is now estimated to be more than 22,000, with thousands more people still missing. Destruction from the powerful storm to homes, farmland, and infrastructure is simply “massive” and is being compared to the devastation in other southern Asia countries from the December '04 tsunami. Hundreds of thousands of people are homeless.

While Myanmar is one of the world’s most isolated countries and is ruled by an authoritarian military dictatorship, the Myanmar Council of Churches does have an active relationship with Church World Service. Yesterday CWS issued an emergency appeal to its member communions to assist the Council with immediate relief operations and comprehensive needs assessment work. The appeal will soon be revised and expanded to include additional relief support and long term recovery assistance. Week of Compassion has sent an initial grant of $6000 from the Response Fund to support the CWS appeal and will be providing additional funds as soon as the appeal is revised. WOC is also prepared to receive designated contributions for the cyclone and such gifts will be used in their entirety for relief and recovery in Myanmar. Contributions can be made online at www.weekofcompassion.org – please mark “Compassion Response Fund" - or send to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

Tornado Relief Efforts Continue Across U.S.

Week of Compassion continues to monitor relief and recovery work from recent tornadoes in Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri and other states. Thus far, the impact on Disciples churches and members is small. WOC is supporting a CWS tornado appeal, which we anticipate being revised and expanded for the second time since February.