Concerns Raised about Response to Myanmar Cyclone

Tuesday, May 13, A.D. 2008

Over the past several days, the Week of Compassion Office has received numerous calls and emails from concerned Disciples about the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Myanmar (Burma) in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, especially regarding news accounts of the intransigence of the ruling military junta in granting visas to personnel of outside relief organizations and the regime’s confiscation of relief supplies. WOC is very appreciative of the concerns and questions raised, as we have raised them ourselves, and for the opportunity to address them here.

WOC is now actively supporting the $1 million Church World Service (CWS) appeal issued last week in response to the cyclone and the staggering human need left in its wake. Indeed, WOC would like to provide as much as $100,000 in support of the CWS appeal and will be depending upon the designated gifts of Disciples congregations, members and friends to ensure a strong Disciples response.

Church World Service is very well suited to respond to disasters of this nature because of its 60+ year history of working with local partners to meet humanitarian needs. CWS support is reaching cyclone survivors through its well established network of local Myanmar partners that are now distributing food, clean water, and emergency shelter materials throughout the affected areas.

CWS is appropriately licensed by the U.S. government to provide financial aid in Myanmar. Myanmar also still has open land-trade routes with Thailand and India that allow for the importation of relief supplies. In addition, the CWS Asia Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok is coordinating the response of Action by Churches Together (ACT), the international alliance of some 175 church-based relief organizations to which WOC and the Disciples also belong.

Of course, the situation in Myanmar remains “grim.” Many relief officials fear the death toll could exceed 100,000 people. More than 1.5 million have been seriously affected and are dealing with the loss of shelter, lack of food, ever increasing threat of disease and unimaginable psychological trauma. WOC asks that Disciples continue to remember the Burmese people in their prayers, to pray for a change of heart in the regime, to pray for the local partners through whom CWS and ACT are working, and to support WOC’s efforts to fund the CWS appeal. Gifts can be made online or sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN. 46206. All such gifts will be used in their entirety for Cyclone Nargis relief and recovery.

Quake Strikes China

A powerful 7.9 earthquake struck the southwest China province of Sichuan yesterday. At least 12,000 have been killed, including hundreds of children trapped in collapsed school buildings. This is the worst quake to hit China in thirty years. Information is still slow in coming out of the region, as cell phone towers and other communications infrastructure have been extensively damaged. However, the Disciples East Asia and Pacific Office, Church World Service and Action by Churches Together are in contact with the Amity Foundation, a long-time church partner that works throughout China. Amity has deployed staff to the affected areas to assess the situation and plan its relief and recovery response. WOC is monitoring the situation and readying a response to an anticipated appeal from CWS/ACT in support of Amity’s efforts.

Tornadoes Again Ravage U.S.

Week of Compassion is also monitoring another round of severe weather that produced deadly tornadoes over the weekend. At least 23 people have been confirmed killed in Oklahoma, Missouri and Georgia. Thus far, WOC has not learned of any direct damage to Disciples congregations, but is assisting some congregations that had members affected. In the meanwhile, WOC continues to support an appeal from CWS in response to this year’s unusually active tornado season.

Plans Underway for Second Phase of Hurricane Recovery Initiative

Week of Compassion and the Office of Disciples Volunteering (ODV) are now putting final touches on the second phase of the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative. The first phase of the Initiative, which began September 1, 2006, will end August 31, 2008. Of course, the recovery needs along the Gulf Coast are enormous and long term, and the second phase will offer an organized Disciples response through December 31, 2009. ODV is still working out arrangements with local Disciples Mission Stations, but work groups interested in participating in the next round of recovery should contact the Office of Disciples Volunteering: amoyars@dhm.disciples.org, 317.713.2666 or toll free 888.346.2631. A limited number of WOC grants are available for hurricane recovery work groups. Applications can be downloaded from the WOC website.