MYANMAR - Regrettably, the delta is still essentially locked down to expats and foreign aid workers. In addition, we heard that cyclone victims are now being told to leave the temporary camps and return to their devastated villages. (more…)

MYANMAR – Aid workers do not only provide relief goods, but we also have the duty to fight for the protection of the suffering people we serve. All too often we are kept silent over the sensitivities of speaking out against oppressive and corrupt governments in case we endanger ourselves, the project or the people we are assisting. This morning I left Myanmar and can now talk openly about the things I saw. (more…)

MYANMAR – I’m back from the Delta region, it was an incredible day.  My translator and I travelled by boat some distance and then hired a driver to take us into the worst hit areas.  I purchased 2 tons of rice as a continuation of OBI’s rapid response project.  (more…)

Myanmar – This morning I visited an orphanage with 60 children. The roof was badly damaged and they told me that food was a priority need. I purchased one month’s worth of food and charcoal. (more…)

Myanmar – I made it in to Myanmar just before dark.
I heard about an orphanage outside the city that had its roof ripped off and was partly destroyed during the cyclone. I will be there tomorrow morning early to start working.

The leader is telling me the children are sick with diarrhea and badly need a new roof, which is made out of corrugated steel tiles. I’ll see what I can do for a quick initial project.

After that, I have arranged for a driver with a 4 x 4 to take me and my translator to some of the worse-hit areas. We will assess the needs of the people and look for partners already in place. My hope is to get as deep into the zone as possible tomorrow.

I have been unable to get through to anyone at the YMCA clinic where OBI and Humedica hired three local doctors and two nurses. I hope to be in touch with them tomorrow.  I am also trying to track down the World Food Programme team.

I think the doors will soon be open for other aid workers to come in, but for now, OBI is on the ground doing our part in helping the people of Myanmar.