Burma Cyclone Response Diary

Many of you are following the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Burma (Myanmar). Here as the situation in our neighbouring country has only worsened we have prayed to know what we can do. Cavelle joined a UN brief yesterday and you need to understand that any comments you hear on TV are measured. Indeed, as critical as the media has been of the aid response, their reports are relatively more positive than the case warrants. The situation for those cut off from help as absolutely dire. As aid is delayed day after day the situation will only worsen. The area hit by the cyclone was the major rice producing area for this already impoverished nation, and due to the high price of rice, any excess stocks were sold off prior to the storm. This tragedy which is already leaving 24 million people in the dark, 1.5 million homeless and over 100,000 people dead, will soon begin to impact the rest of the country. We can not understate how desperate the conditions are.

What remains particularly disturbing is that help remains stuck here in Thailand. Except for agencies already in Burma using resources they had on stock in country, very little resources have made it to Burma. The UN, the US, and all major aid organizations continue to be refused access. Some agencies are now turning away, frustrated by the inability to act.

Given the situation, we can only consider it a miracle when one of our Thai staff, after calling a Thai businessman, who happened to be a good friend of Burma's top diplomat in Thailand, was invited to meet at the embassy today to discuss a plan for our team to bring in relief supplies. We still are shaking our head, but our team has been given permission to begin bringing supplies in. They have been promised visas early next week, a truck is being prepared and soon they will be on their way to the border and on to Rangoon. We have been promised safe passage, but we do depend on the military to make it safely. This step is not without risks. Our first trip will be cautious, but if once we are confident supplies can get to the cyclone victims, we will bring in additional supplies. Given the few days delay, you understand that what we can do will only help those who survive the next few days. We are small, but God has opened a door closed to most to begin helping. As foreigners we will not enter Burma, only our Thai staff will go. Indeed, this door has been opened because it is Thai people who are making the plea to help. We believe that Thailand, historical enemies of Burma, has a key role in bring help and blessing to this desperate nation.

So we ask you to pray each step of the way. For promises made to be kept. For visas delivered, truck safety, military integrity, and aid reaching those who really need it. Please pray for a confidence building first trip, so we can do more. Please pray that the door will be opened to other agencies, for the need is bigger than any one organization.

If you or your church wish to help support this particular effort, you can do so by donating to ERDO. The website is http://www.paoc.org/missions/emergency-relief and any gifts should be marked as Burma Cyclone. We will keep you posted as this project unfolds. Thank you for your care and prayers,

Peter and Cavelle