The Shoe Charity is relieved that Myanmar's military government is allowing
its donated boots and shoes into the region
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Soles4Souls, the international
charity dedicated to providing footwear for the needy worldwide, announced
they have sent 25,000 pairs of shoes to the victims of the recent cyclone
in Myanmar, also known as Burma. Supplies are most needed in Irrawaddy
Delta, where survivors stave off disease and hunger and cling to what
remains of their homes and families.
The first shipments of foreign aid had been stopped at the border as
recently as Thursday, May 8. Outside aid groups, both government and
civilian, have been delayed at the border because of Myanmar's refusal to
allow outsiders into the country.
Among the supplies caught in the holding pattern are tens of thousands
of pairs of new puncture-resistant work boots, athletic shoes, and sandals
for children, donated by Soles4Souls and its partners around the world.
Soles4Souls Founder and CEO, Wayne Elsey, was cautiously optimistic
that the military junta would begin to allow foreign aid groups into the
country. "We are hoping that the recent news reports are true -- that the
government in Myanmar is giving access to its people so that relief
supplies can be delivered," Elsey said. "We are calling on our partners to
donate more shoes and resources so that we can get more supplies to needy
people in Myanmar," he said.
According to news reports, many thousands of people in the country have
no drinking water, food, clothing or shelter. "Time is running out for
thousands of people, and we are all very anxious to help," Elsey said.
Cyclone Nargis, which came ashore last Saturday, has some death toll
estimates of 100,000 people, with up to 1 million people homeless. It has
already been deemed one of the worst natural disasters in history.
Relief has been trickling in slowly. Several high-profile aid groups,
such as The United Nations World Food Program, have said the country needs
hundreds of planeloads of supplies and equipment to cope with the cyclone,
something most countries are ill-equipped to handle. Other aid groups are
worried that any supplies would be siphoned off by the military junta. Many
critics accuse the junta of stalling because they do not want an influx of
foreigners into the countryside, which could weaken their totalitarian grip
on the country.
There are alarming fears that many of those who survived the first
tragedy may succumb to a second -- falling prey to hunger, disease and
exposure while the supplies that might save them sat nearby with no way or
permission to get in. With some international pressure from Myanmar's
allies, including China, it appears that the supplies may get through to
the people who need them most.
For information on how you can help, visit http://www.giveshoes.org
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls(TM) facilitates the donations of shoes, which will be used
to aid the hurting worldwide. The organization has distributed more than 3
million pairs of shoes since January 2005 (or one pair of shoes every 28
seconds). Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate both new
and "gently worn" footwear. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the
IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. For more information
about Soles4Souls, please call (866) 521-SHOE, or visit http://www.giveshoes.org.
SOURCE Soles4Souls
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Related links:
http://www.giveshoes.org
CONTACT:
Chris Carmichael, +1-615-391-5724 ext. 143,
chrisc@soles4souls.org, or Alexis Laken, +1-646-964-5566,
alexisl@soles4souls.org, both of Soles4Souls
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