Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Myanmar

Myanmar: CRWRC raises more than one million for Cyclone Nargis survivors

An amazing $720,000 was raised for CRWRC's relief efforts in Burma/Myanmar. With additional funds from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and CIDA*, CRWRC will provide more than $1 million to Cyclone Nargis survivors!

These funds ensure that CRWRC will be there for the Burmese people as they recover from the devastating cyclone. CRWRC continues to work in partnership with World Concern, who has an established presence in Burma/Myanmar. CRWRC has taken responsibility for food and food security while World Concern is focusing on additional needs such as medical care and shelter.

In addition to severely reducing the May rice harvest Cyclone Nargis destroyed rice that was being kept in storage - this rice would have been used as seed. The combined loss of the current crop and seeds means that Myanmar/Burma will be facing severe food shortages in coming months as its 'food bowl' has been emptied. CRWRC will be working to provide food, seed and tools to 12,000 families. This will ensure that families who lost their harvest will have food to eat until the seeds can produce a harvest.

In addition to meeting the food needs of 12,000 families CRWRC will be providing veterinary care in these communities. Animals are essential to a families' livelihood; oxen are used to plough fields and pigs and chickens are 'investments'. When a family loses their animals it has a severe, long-term, impact. Providing veterinary care, to prevent and treat water-born diseases, reduces the long-term impact of the cyclone.

With the combination of food for immediate need, seed for rehabilitation and veterinary care to preserve valuable family assets CRWRC is helping Burmese families recover from Cylone Nargis - all of which is made possible because of your generosity!

* The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) decided to create a fund for Cyclone Nargis that would equal the total amount donated by Canadians to eligible organizations by June 13th. CRWRC is an eligible organization so CIDA added $512,000 to this fund based on the Canadian donations received by CRWRC. CRWRC has now submitted an application to CIDA which would draw from this fund.