$10,000 in OGHS Emergency Grants to Myanmar

Massive floods and strong winds in Myanmar (formerly Burma) have impacted more than 259,000 people across 12 of Myanmar’s 14 states, according to an August 5th report of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In recent days, the death toll has climbed to 69. The massive flooding occurred in the aftermath of Cyclone Komen which made landfall on July 30th. According to the UN report, priority needs include food, water and sanitation, access to health care and shelter.

In response, an initial $10,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing emergency relief funds is being sent to American Baptist International Ministries (IM) partner, the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC) to help with the relief efforts.

In recent days, IM received the following status update from Dr. Yam Kho Pau, general secretary of MBC:

“People from Chin State, Rakhine State, Kachin State, Magwe Region and Sagaing Region have been suffering from Komen Cyclone that left thousands of people homeless and food shortage. Due to landslides and flood, it is difficult to access the said affected places by roads.Therefore, relief goods are transported by government and private airlines.”

The General Secretary continued, “As of Thursday, August 6, the delta areas of Myanmar such as Ayeyarwaddy Region, Pegu Region and Yangon Region have been affected by the flood as the impacts of the Komen Cyclone.Therefore, we are expecting more victims and affected families in the regions.The MBC Disaster Management Committee has been sourcing funds and donations not only from our local churches but also from our Global Mission partners abroad. The committee is sending a survey team to affected areas to collect data that to be used for rehabilitation projects.”

U.S. and Puerto Rico churches are asked to keep the victims, their families, their churches and IM’s partners in Myanmar in prayer.

Additional financial relief is urgently needed.Tax-deductible contributions may be made through the churches, or donors may give by credit card by going to the IM website, or mailing a check to International Ministries, Attn: Myanmar Cyclone Relief, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482. Write “OGHS-Myanmar Cyclone Relief” on the memo line.

One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work and the development of assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering received by churches. Learn more: http://www.abc-oghs.org/