Deadly cyclone:
Aid workers await entry into country
by Kumar Periasamy
SINGAPORE – It has been a long and frustrating wait since I first received the news about last Friday’s devastating cyclone that hit Myanmar. Each day the death toll seems to grow exponentially. First it was several thousand, then more than 22,000 dead with 41,000 missing. Today, some are reporting a projected death toll of 100,000.
International aid groups are slowly getting visas from the government to enter the country and begin relief efforts. While we wait, however, thousands are going without food, water and medical attention.
I’m leaving Singapore tomorrow a.m. and headed to Bangkok to meet up with a medical team of doctors with our German partner, Humedica, who are on standby to get their visas. The plan is to fly into Rangoon (Yangon) tomorrow to begin treating cyclone victims at a Humedica/OBI-funded clinic.
We are told that the clinic is currently operating under severe conditions. We have employed two local doctors and three nurses who have already seen more than 600 patients. Conditions and flooding on the ground is so bad that patients cannot make their own way to the clinic, but instead have to be picked up in small boats and carried in.
Once we arrive in-country, we can assess the needs and begin to expand our relief efforts. Our partners DHL, Water Missions International, Mission Aviation Fellowship are standing by to help us bring in water purification systems as well as more doctors and medical supplies.
If you would like to get involved in OBI’s disaster relief efforts, including aid to cyclone victims in Myanmar, click here to make an online donation.
Entries (RSS)
May 10th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I am someone who is unemployed and struggling to feed my family but my story is nothing compared to what these people have been through and will still be going through long after I solve my problems. I will be praying for you and wish I could send money but I don’t have any to send. Things are happening that are probably going to get worse., God is moving and things are getting scary. We have to keep the faith nomatter what is going on. May God be with you and the people there.
In my thoughts and prayers
Tinamarie Matsil
Monmouth NJ
May 10th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Our church The Holy Ghost School Of Deliverance will have you all in our prayer, but keep in mind that God is able and nothing’s too hard for him to do. Keep the faith and just believe.
God blessed and if there is anything we can do feel free to ask.
Deaconess Yvonne Brown
May 12th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I cannot even *fathom* your pain nor suffering!!!!
I too, am struggling, financially, but at least I have a house to live in.
All that I can offer is that my best Friend in the universe, Jesus Christ, attends to YOUR needs FIRST, before mine. I can manage. Please, Jesus, GO! Do not tarry! These people Need YOU! Heal the sick. Take care of these, Your people, the ones You Love. Please provide the Mommies and Daddies with nourishment so they can properly provide for their children, and their neighbors children as well, and also the elderly.
Jesus, I pray that You will bring these survivors together to make a mighty village! Jesus, I LOVE YOU! Please take care of my neighbors, as You have taken care of me, only, give them more!
Deirdre Pasko
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, USA