Myanmar Cyclone Devestation

As I’m writing this, I’m looking at a satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Nargis taken right before it bullied it’s way into Yangon, Myanmar four days ago in a fury of floods, winds and tidal waves.

Myanmar is a country in Asia, wedged between India (to the west) and China (to the east), and its coastal area is exposed to the Andaman Sea.

Myanmar officials reported Tuesday that 22,000 people had died and 41,000 are missing. The cyclone triggered a massive tidal wave up to twelve feet tall that swept inland across the Irrawaddy delta, decimating villages, and killing at least 10,000 people who had no where to run

The cyclone has affected 2 million people, many of whom were already living in poor conditions, and whose country has one of the world’s poorest health systems.

There is a lack of food, clean water, and shelter. 6.5 million residents are without electricity. And it’s estimated that 1,000,000 people are homeless.

Elderly people there are saying that this is the worst storm they’ve ever seen.

Please say a prayer today for the children and families of Myanmar. And, if you’re able, consider making a donation to one of the relief agencies of your choice as humanitarian relief workers seek to feed, shelter, and clothe these people who have been literally left without anything.

Here are my two favorite relief agencies because they are among the elite organizations that keep administrative costs to bare minimums in order to funnel most of the donations they receive back into the affected areas:

http://www.adra.org
http://www.WorldVision.org

Thank you for your prayers and actions to bring relief to the people of Myanmar.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, NIV).

May 6, 2008 | Permalink | del.icio.us | StumbleUpon | | |