More than 22,000 killed in Myanmar (Burma) cyclone - they need our help!
Cyclone Nargis slammed through a 30,000 square kilometer (over 18,600 miles) coastal area of Myanmar over the weekend, leaving 
destruction and death in its wake. Government run radio has confirmed 22,464 dead and as many as 30,000 missing the hardest hit area of the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region and Yangon. Tidal waves, some up to 12 feet high, were reported to have killed most of the victims in that region. The United Nations (UN) also reports up to 1 million people have been left homeless. The Church of the Nazarene's Southeast Asia (SEA) Field and mission personnel have been trying to establish contact with local church leaders but communication is extremely difficult. Several of the 21 Nazarene churches in Myanmar are located in areas hit by Nargis. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) and Field personnel hope to travel into Myanmar later this week to survey the situation and distribute relief supplies of basic food items, water, and emergency shelter. NCM is coordinating with other international relief and aid agencies in an endeavor to collaborate for an effective response to this disaster. Please continue to pray for the families of those killed in the cyclone, as well as those still missing. SEA Field NCM and mission personnel, partnering with the local church, would also appreciate prayerful support as they encounter significant challenges.Persons and churches wishing to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks "Myanmar Cyclone" and send them to: Global Treasury Services, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. --NCN News--Asia-Pacific
Samaritan's Purse is reporting that in addition to the rising death toll, some 41,000 people are missing. Many more are homeless, thanks to a 12-foot storm surge that swept away entire towns and villages.
Thankfully, Samaritan’s Purse has a team of water specialists who were in Myanmar when the storm hit. Other Samaritan’s Purse emergency teams in Southeast Asia are mobilizing to respond to needs for food, water, and emergency shelter.
World Vision is estimating that overall, 2 million people have been or will be affected by Nargis's devastation, therefore shelter and water are the most urgent needs as World Vision launches a "full-scale" response. They are asking for $3 million in global donations to provide that aid to children and families."News is only slowly trickling out of the country, but it is clear from the information already available that this is a major catastrophe demanding an urgent response," says Dean Hirsch, president of World Vision International. "My greatest concern is for the children of Myanmar who will be especially vulnerable at this time. We must get them shelter, clean water, and food as quickly as possible. The threat of the spread of disease is always at the door when people are living in such conditions and children are the most likely to succumb to illness."
The government of Myanmar has invited World Vision to provide assistance in the form of zinc sheets, tents, tarpaulins, and medicine. World Visision is also coordinating with authorities to explore an airlift of emergency supplies into the country from one of its global warehouses.
