/R E P E A T -- United Church Launches Emergency Appeal for Burma (Myanmar)/

    TORONTO, May 7 /CNW/ - The United Church of Canada has announced that it
is launching an emergency appeal for donations designated for cyclone relief
and reconstruction in Burma (Myanmar).
    As always with United Church emergency appeals, 100% of the donations
received for the Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal will be committed to relief
and reconstruction. This is made possible thanks to the generous ongoing
support of United Church members to the church's Mission and Service Fund.
These contributions allow the United Church to absorb the staffing and
administration costs of processing donations for emergency appeals.
    On May 2-3 Burma (Myanmar) was struck by the worst Asian cyclone since
1991, triggering a storm surge and flooding in the five worst hit states,
where more than half of Burma's (Myanmar's) 53 million people live. Figures
reported suggest as many as 100,000 people were killed and one million
displaced. The numbers may be higher. The full extent of the destruction to
property and infrastructure is massive and still being ascertained.
Communication channels are slow and very limited.
    The United Church of Canada is responding immediately to the crisis by
committing $100,000 for relief aid and reconstruction purposes. The funds will
be channelled through Action by Churches Together (ACT), a global alliance of
faith-based relief organizations that work through local and regional
partners. Priority needs are for water purification tablets, plastic sheeting,
basic medical kits, bed nets and food. The church will also be considering
funding additional relief efforts mobilized by partner organizations in the
region.
    Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Church's Cyclone
Nargis Emergency Appeal either through their local congregation or directly to
The United Church of Canada's national office, 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300,
Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4. Cheques can be made payable to The United Church of
Canada and marked Cyclone Nargis. You can also donate by telephone during
regular business hours (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EDT) at
1-800-268-3781 or 416-231-5931 or by using our secure on-line donations page
at www.united-church.ca.
    Further information about the United Church's response to the crisis in
Burma (Myanmar) is being posted on the United Church's website
(www.united-church.ca) and will be updated as new information becomes
available.

For further information: Mary-Frances Denis, Communications Officer, The
United Church of Canada, (416) 231-7680 ext. 2016 (office), 1-800-268-3781
ext. 2016 (toll-free), (416) 885-7478 (cell), (416) 766-0057 (home),
mdenis@united-church.ca