World Vision responds to devastating cyclone in Myanmar

Relief agency estimates two million people affected: Shelter, water
    are most urgent needsBANGKOK, Thailand, May 5 /CNW/ - Tropical cyclone Nargis has claimed
thousands of lives and at least 20,000 homes in Myanmar, triggering a
full-scale response by international aid organization World Vision.
    World Vision Canada President and CEO Dave Toycen said: "News is only
slowly trickling out of the country but it is clear from the information
already available that this is a major catastrophe demanding an urgent
response. We know that some two million people have been hit hard. Many of
them are already living in poor conditions and it will be very difficult for
them to recover from this crisis without assistance.
    "My greatest concern is for the children of Myanmar who will be
especially vulnerable at this time," Toycen continued. "We must get them
shelter, clean water and food as quickly as possible. The threat of the spread
of disease is always at the door when people are living in such conditions and
children are the most likely to succumb to illness."
    The government of Myanmar has invited World Vision to provide assistance
in the form of zinc roof sheeting, tents, tarpaulins and medicine. The agency
is coordinating with authorities to explore an airlift of emergency supplies
into the country from one of its global warehouses.
    World Vision assessment teams have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas
to determine the most urgent needs. The agency is already providing clothing
(sarongs and t-shirts) as well as tarpaulins and blankets to 100 households in
the capital, along with 10,000 kg of rice and 7,000 liters of water.
    World Vision estimates that up to two million people may be affected by
the cyclone. The organization has several community development programs in
areas hit by the path of the storm.
    In Yangon, Myanmar, World Vision's National Director James Tumbuan
described a chaotic scene: "Yangon totally collapsed. All the roads were
blocked with fallen trees. The way Yangon used to look, with its big trees,
has been totally changed.
    "Getting drinking water is a real problem, Tumbuan continued. "We need
water purification units like those that were used in the tsunami. It could
take days to get the electricity back."
    Tumbuan said thousands of people were now camped in government schools in
and around Yangon. He noted that one school in particular was now sheltering
5,000 people.
    Dr. Kyi Minn, World Vision's regional HIV and AIDS advisor, said from
Yangon: "The destruction is unbelievable. Elderly people are saying this is
the worst storm they have ever seen."
    World Vision's national office in Myanmar is based in Yangon - the
country's largest city and a state-declared disaster zone. The agency has
worked in Myanmar for some 40 years and currently assists children and
families across the country through food assistance, agriculture, health,
clean water, education, income generation, anti-trafficking and nutritional
assistance programs.
    World Vision is accepting donations to assist those affected by the
cyclone. Those wishing to help can visit WorldVision.ca or call
1-800-268-5528.

    World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization
dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome
poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion,
race, ethnicity or gender.

For further information: World Vision staff is available for media
interviews. Please contact: Yoko Kobayashi, [phone] ext. 2151,
[phone] (cell), [e-mail]