- Damage to Myanmar's Lone Synagogue; Humanitarian Aid Shipped -
NEW YORK, May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- JDC is collecting funds to
directly assist cyclone victims on a non-sectarian basis in immediate
response to cyclone Nargis, which hit Myanmar on May 2-3. JDC has been
coordinating activities with local, established international NGOs and
working on a large-scale humanitarian aid effort in coordination with
Israeli relief organizations. In the worst hit areas surrounding the
Irrawaddy delta, where only local people and NGOs have been granted entry,
JDC's partners, Myanmar Compassion Project (MCP) and Karym Baptist
Convention (KBC), are working to provide food and fresh water.
JDC has also established a partnership with World Concern, a Christian
faith-based NGO from Seattle and members of InterAction that has worked in
the country for 12 years and will be meeting with Buddhist representatives
of local organizations and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
JDC's active partners in Israel include: MASHAV, The Israel Forum for
International Humanitarian Aid (IsraAID) and Magen David Adom (MDA -
Israel's Red Cross, part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement) as well as Fast Israel Rescue and Search Teams (F.I.R.S.T.) and
Israeli Flying Aid, who work in full coordination and under the IsraAID
umbrella.
The Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief (JCDR), a coordinated group of
North American Jewish organizations, has formed the Jewish Coalition for
Myanmar Cyclone Relief and will meet on Monday, May 12 to discuss next
steps. JDC representatives reported that the roof of Myanmar's only
synagogue has been completely destroyed and will need replacement. Five of
the eight Jewish families in the region lost their homes.
"Similar to our response to the Tsunami in Southeast Asia, JDC has
quickly mobilized to develop partnerships, assess damage, and to assist
those devastated by this catastrophic disaster," said Steve Schwager, Chief
Executive Officer, JDC. "Now and in the months to come we will work to
provide both immediate relief and long-term assistance to help the cyclone
victims rebuild their lives," he added.
Donations are being collected on a non-sectarian basis. To make a
contribution:
Online: http://www.jdc.org / Phone: 212.687.6200
By Mail: check payable to:
JDC: Myanmar Cyclone Relief
P.O. Box 530
132 East 43rd St.
New York, NY, 10017
About JDC
Founded in 1914, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
gives global expression to the principle that all Jews are responsible for
one another. Working on behalf of North America's Jewish communities, JDC
is dedicated to rescuing those in danger, providing relief to Jews in
distress, and revitalizing overseas Jewish communities. JDC is committed to
helping Israel's most vulnerable citizens overcome the social challenges
they still face through special partnerships and innovation. In the spirit
of "healing the world," JDC also offers non-sectarian disaster relief and
longer-term development assistance worldwide. More information can be found
at http://www.jdc.org
SOURCE American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
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Related links:
http://www.jdc.org
CONTACT:
Dara Lehon of JDC, +1-212-885-0838,
dara.lehon@jdcny.org
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