LOS ANGELES, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles based Operation USA has
deployed staff already stationed in Asia to assess the needs of what is now
an estimated 7 million people affected by the recent cyclone which
destroyed or devastated wide swaths of Myanmar (aka Burma), especially in
or near Yangon (formerly the capital Rangoon) and throughout its vast rice
growing delta. The cyclone generated winds of over 120 miles per hour and
struck communities living largely in housing made of bamboo and unable to
withstand winds of such magnitude.
Temporary shelter, water purification chemicals, food, tools and
medical supplies are among the most urgently needed items. Funds collected
will be spent on these and other priority supplies.
Richard Walden, President of Operation USA, expressed a widely held
concern among relief groups that the current military government of Burma
has not readily facilitated foreign relief agencies' access to impact
zones, especially those from the U.S. "We expected that this unusually
tragic event would have softened the Burmese Government's attitude towards
international relief and that they would have allowed relief agencies full
access to victims of this tragedy. So far, hundreds of seasoned relief
workers are stranded in neighboring countries awaiting visas to enter
Myanmar and begin saving lives."
Operation USA has worked with Burmese refugees for over 15 years along
the Burma-Thailand border through local partners.
The Lincy Foundation of Los Angeles provided initial disaster funds to
Operation USA for just such contingencies requiring an immediate response.
The Audrey & Sydney Irmas Charitable Foundation also contributed
substantial funding for this effort. A Myanmar cyclone fund raising t-shirt
was created by Von Dutch (http://www.vondutch.com) to raise funds as well.
HOW TO HELP: To assist Operation USA in delivering aid to Myanmar,
donate online at http://www.opusa.org, by phone at 800.678.7255 or, by
check to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.
Ninety-eight cents of every dollar is spent directly on relief programs.
Corporate contributions of essential products in bulk and with at least
one year's remaining shelf life can be arranged by calling Neil Frame,
Operation USA, 310.838.3455.
Media Contact:
Christine Oppenheim or Richard Walden
310.838.3455
coppenheim@opusa.org
All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law through
Operation California, Inc.
(Operation USA is a d.b.a. of Operation California)
Federal Tax I.D. #95-3504080
IRS Form 990 is available upon request.
SOURCE Operation USA
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Related links:
http://www.opusa.org
http://www.vondutch.com
CONTACT:
Christine Oppenheim or Richard Walden, both
of Operation USA, +1-310-838-3455
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