Catholic aid agencies plan response to Burma devastation

Social Justice News
March 7, 2008

Catholic aid agencies plan response to Burma devastation
06.05.08 - Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga is sending a message of solidarity to Myanmar (Burma) following the devastation caused by Cyclone Nagris. “People in Myanmar are facing a terrible humanitarian crisis," he said. "The message of our global network to them is that they are not alone. Messages of support have flooded into our offices from around the world.

“The Burmese should know that we are doing everything we can to ensure international aid efforts get through," said Rodriguez. "So far we are receiving very positive messages from the Myanmar government on their need for international help. We hope this will allow non-governmental organisations such as ourselves access into the affected areas.

“Caritas members have expertise in the region in responding to similar humanitarian crises. We know from past emergencies such as the Asia tsunami and Cyclone Sidr that getting fresh water, medical supplies, food and shelter into a disaster zone quickly can prevent a second wave of deaths from disease and exposure. Caritas are ready to use that experience to help survivors in Myanmar as quickly as possible.”

The storm hit the Irrawaddy Delta region on Saturday morning 3 May and the death toll is now at 22,000 with parts of the country still cut off. The death toll is expected to rise and has now passed the super-cyclone that hit the Indian state of Orissa in 1999 killing almost 10,000. Latest reports indicate 41,000 missing and 100,000 homeless. Conditions for survivors are grim, and basic food, shelter, and water are urgently needed. Assessments on the level of devastation are still underway as communications remain difficult and news trickles out of the country.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is supporting the emergency relief and response efforts of the Caritas Internationalis network in the most affected areas of Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis brought a deadly tidal surge across the low-lying coastal areas of the country on Saturday.

"Cyclone Nargis could not have happened in a worse stretch of land. The surge hit in the low lying coastal areas. With the tidal surge at 12 to 15 feet, presumably thousands of people living along the Delta were simply washed away," says Pat Johns, director, CRS emergency response team.

Significant support is critical to ensure life-saving assistance reaches the most vulnerable people quickly. The Caritas network will coordinate with local and international agencies to determine how best to provide help where it is most needed.

The storm hit Saturday morning, May 3, in the Irrawaddy Delta region, an area populated by 24 million people. Nagris toppled infrastructure in the largest city, Yangon (Rangoon), and destroyed tens of thousands of homes across the area. The government of Myanmar has formally appealed to the United Nations for assistance.

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