LONDON - 8 May 2008 - 400 words
Catholic agencies begin sending aid to victims of Burma cyclone
While the tragic toll of victims and damages
from Cyclone Nargism, that hit Myanmar on May 3, continues to
rise (in the wake of the aftermath, some analysts say it has claimed
the lives of over 60,000), international organizations have begun
sending emergency aid and humanitarian assistance. Caritas Internationalis
has reached contacts in the area and the small Catholic community
of Myanmar has begun "passing the word" throughout all
the dioceses, finding volunteers to work in the areas affected
by the disaster and taking care of those who have lost their homes.
The President of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez
Maradiaga, sent a message of solidarity, saying: "People
in Myanmar are facing a terrible humanitarian crisis. The message
of our global network to them is that they are not alone. Messages
of support have flooded into our offices from around the world.
The Burmese should know that we are doing everything we can to
ensure international aid efforts get through. So far we are receiving
very positive messages from the Myanmar government on their need
for international help. We hope this will allow non-governmental
organizations such as ourselves access into the affected areas."
Caritas members have expertise in the
region in responding to similar humanitarian crises, following
natural disasters. "We know from past emergencies such as
the Asia tsunami and Cyclone Sidr that getting fresh water, medical
supplies, food and shelter into a disaster zone quickly can prevent
a second wave of deaths from disease and exposure. Caritas are
ready to use that experience to help survivors in Myanmar as quickly
as possible."
"The United Nations will do whatever they can to provide
urgent humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, where hundreds of thousands
of people are in need of aid," said UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-Moon, announcing the establishment of an office dedicated
to coordination of the emergencies, in Bangkok. The UN High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR), that has nearly 70 agents already present
in Myanmar, has opened its emergency deposits located in Thailand,
to send plastic tarps and tents for 10,000 people to Yangon. The
materials are being distributed by a Committee for Emergency Activity
established by the Myanmar government.
Many NGOs have begun sending tents, water, mosquito nets, and
other emergency aid products. They have also sent a warning out
to the countless number of homeless, reminding them of the risk
of epidemics from the large number of corpses that have been left
behind by the receding waters.
Pope Benedict XVI has sent a telegram expressing his condolences, to the President of the Bishops Conference of Myanmar, Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng. In the message, sent by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, the Holy Father expressed his heartfelt sympathy. The text reads: "With prayers for the victims and their families, he invokes God's peace upon the dead and divine strength and comfort upon the homeless and all who are suffering. Confident that the international community will respond with generous and effective relief to the needs of your countrymen, His Holiness asks you to convey his solidarity and concern to the civil authorities and to all the beloved people of Myanmar. "
Source: Fides
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