Myanmar relief efforts continue by AG World Missions and Convoy of Hope
The Red Cross now estimates as high as 128,000 dead in Myanmar, and others state the toll could exceed 130,000. In addition, there are an estimated 2.5 million survivors who desperately need food, shelter, clean water and sanitation. Complicating efforts to reach survivors and adding to their misery is the monsoon season, which regularly sends drenching rain to the hard-hit area, washing out roads and causing flooding.
However, relief is getting to the needy. Due to the presence of the Myanmar Assemblies of God in the country, AG World Missions and Convoy of Hope were able to get relief into Myanmar weeks before most other agencies.
According to Randy Hurst, Communications director for AG World Missions, the Myanmar Assemblies of God has hundreds of churches and tens of thousands of church members.
Convoy of Hope president Hal Donaldson says that, of the many difficulties survivors now face, dysentery is one of the biggest challenges. Dysentery (caused by polluted drinking water) results in diarrhea, which causes dehydration, which leads to thirst. The only option for many desperate people is drinking more contaminated water. AGWM and Convoy of Hope are working to distribute, among other things, clean water, water decontamination tablets, water filtration units and medical supplies to treat dysentery and diarrhea.
“The personal water filtration units are in huge demand,” Hurst states. “For just $4, we can place a personal water filtration unit into the hands of a survivor, providing him or her with a desperately needed source of clean water. Already, ten thousand have been provided, half by AG World Missions and half by Convoy of Hope.”
British aid organization Oxfam warned that unless aid reaches survivors soon, the growing public health crises could result in a massive amount of additional deaths — far surpassing the near quarter-of-a-million death toll that occurred due to the 2004 tsunami.
In addition to hundreds of thousands homeless, the United Nations reports that 85 percent of the educational buildings have been damaged or destroyed by the cyclone — including 2,700 primary schools. Also, an estimated 60 – 75 AG churches in the Irrawaddy Delta have been destroyed or severely damaged. Hurst explains that when the relief efforts move from meeting urgent physical needs to recovery and rebuilding, U.S. churches will have the opportunity to contribute funds for supplies to help rebuild AG churches in Myanmar.
Readers of AG News can help pay for personal water filtration units for $4 per unit by calling toll-free (866-470-9514) and donating with a credit card, or click on Donate.
