Contact: Emily Sollie, Lutheran World Relief, 410-230-2802, esollie@lwr.org
BALTIMORE, May 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- Lutheran World Relief today pledged $50,000 to support the response of the global aid alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International in the aftermath of the devastating cyclone that struck Myanmar (Burma) on May 3.
The preliminary response will aim to assist at least 10,000 families through water, shelter and cash for work programs. And in the coming weeks, that effort will increase, building on LWR's experience from the 2004 tsunami and our partners' expertise to provide short and medium-term assistance.
While some of LWR's partners in ACT, a global alliance of faith-based aid agencies, attempt to gain greater access to the country, others are already on the ground, prepared to assist the heavily damaged southern region. LWR staff members have also begun exploring other possible partnerships in Myanmar (Burma) that would enable LWR to reach even more of the most vulnerable people.
As the official death toll was raised today to 31,938, experts continued to estimate that as many as 100,000 died in the disaster. The United Nations has said that between 1.2 and 1.9 million people are in dire need of food, water, medicines, and shelter, and relief experts warned that starvation, dehydration and disease could cause a second wave of casualties.
"Relief workers have very little time to head off this health crisis," said LWR's president and CEO, John Nunes. "Our financial support will enable our partners on the ground to quickly procure needed supplies within the country and get them to those who need them most. While we are pleased to provide this initial $50,000 to our partners," he added, "The needs are still great, and more funds are needed to adequately respond to this disaster."
You can help: LWR accepts donations at 1-800-597-5972, www.lwr.org, and P.O. Box 17061 Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 USA.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
