Tzu Chi aid for cyclone Nargis victims in Myanmar

Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Cyclone Nargis hit the Irrawaddy delta region in Myanmar on May 2 and 3, 2008. The death toll has risen to over 70,000. Millions victims are waiting for help. Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi relief team is already on the ground on May 10. The Myanmar government has allowed Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi to initiate organized relief work. As one of the first organizations permitted access, Tzu Chi has taken up the burden of relieving a region near Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar. Tzu Chi held four distributions on May 15, 17 and 22 in Shwe Bau Kan, Nyaung Thone Pin and South Dagon. The distribution supplies benefit 3,015 families or around 13,000 victims in total. The distribution supplies include rice, beans, oil and salt, soybeans, cooking oil, flashlights, water resistant jackets, buckets, soaps and mosquito balm.

Shwe Bau Kan is a 45 minute car ride northwest of Yangon. An emergency shelter had become a crucial element in the struggle for survivals. Torrential waters settled into standing pools, and with the onset of night came a mosquito plague. Knowing victims living in such difficult situation, Tzu Chi volunteers negotiated with local government administrator and gained the permission. On May 15, Tzu Chi volunteers delivered the first round of aid to victims. 225 families or around 1,000 people received the living package including soybeans, cooking oil, flashlights, water resistant jackets and soaps.

On May 17, Tzu Chi's relief team organized its second and third aid distributions. The site this time was the Nyaung Thone Bin, southeast of Yangon. Tzu Chi volunteers distributed rice, beans, oil and salt to a total of 911 households. There are 4,000 people benefited by the aid distribution.

Tzu Chi’s relief team carried on its forth distribution in South Dagon, southeast of Yangon on May 22. With the help of Tzu Chi local volunteers, more victims received relief supplies. This distribution benefited 1,879 families or around 8,000 victims.

In the aftermath of the cyclone Nargis disaster, there are two million victims facing disease outbreak and starvation. Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi, saddened by and deeply concerned of the situation in Myanmar. Master Cheng Yen calls on everyone to be compassionate, to care everyone as our family member. All Tzu Chi volunteers are grateful to help victims in Myanmar.

source: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/ASAZ-7F3CAJ