BALTIMORE, May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lutheran World Relief
today pledged $50,000 to support the response of the global aid alliance
Action by Churches Together (ACT) International in the aftermath of the
devastating cyclone that struck Myanmar (Burma) on May 3.
The preliminary response will aim to assist at least 10,000 families
through water, shelter and cash for work programs. And in the coming weeks,
that effort will increase, building on LWR's experience from the 2004
tsunami and our partners' expertise to provide short and medium-term
assistance.
While some of LWR's partners in ACT, a global alliance of faith-based
aid agencies, attempt to gain greater access to the country, others are
already on the ground, prepared to assist the heavily damaged southern
region. LWR staff members have also begun exploring other possible
partnerships in Myanmar (Burma) that would enable LWR to reach even more of
the most vulnerable people.
As the official death toll was raised today to 31,938, experts
continued to estimate that as many as 100,000 died in the disaster. The
United Nations has said that between 1.2 and 1.9 million people are in dire
need of food, water, medicines, and shelter, and relief experts warned that
starvation, dehydration and disease could cause a second wave of
casualties.
"Relief workers have very little time to head off this health crisis,"
said LWR's president and CEO, John Nunes. "Our financial support will
enable our partners on the ground to quickly procure needed supplies within
the country and get them to those who need them most. While we are pleased
to provide this initial $50,000 to our partners," he added, "The needs are
still great, and more funds are needed to adequately respond to this
disaster."
You can help: LWR accepts donations at 1-800-597-5972, http://www.lwr.org, and
P.O. Box 17061 Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 USA.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit
organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the
world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in
35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and
dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and
secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and
respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has
worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals
and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social
responsibility.
SOURCE Lutheran World Relief
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Related links:
http://www.lwr.org
CONTACT:
Emily Sollie of Lutheran World Relief,
+1-410-230-2802, esollie@lwr.org
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