Emergency Appeal for Myanmar (Burma)

On May 2-3 Myanmar (Burma) was struck by the worst Asian cyclone since 1991, triggering a storm surge and flooding in the five worst hit states, where more than half of the country's 53 million people live. Reports suggest that as many as100,000 people may have been killed and one million displaced. Tens of thousands of people are missing. The full extent of the destruction to property and infrastructure is massive and still being ascertained. Relief delivery infrastructure and capacity in Myanmar (Burma) is limited and authorities have been slow to grant access to international aid organizations, raising the prospect of even greater suffering. However, it appears that permission is now being granted to the United Nations and others.

United Church of Canada partner, Action by Churches Together (ACT) is preparing to distribute immediate relief food and supplies. ACT is a global alliance of faith-based relief organizations that work through local and regional partners.

What the United Church Is Doing

The United Church has responded immediately to the crisis by committing $100,000 for relief aid and reconstruction purposes. The funds will be channelled through ACT. Priority needs are for water purification tablets, plastic sheeting, basic medical kits, bed nets, and food. The church will also be considering funding additional relief efforts mobilized by partner organizations in the region.

The United Church Launches an Appeal

To fund its humanitarian response, the United Church has launched an emergency appeal for donations designated for cyclone relief and reconstruction in Myanmar (Burma). As always with United Church emergency appeals, 100 percent of the donations received for the Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal will be committed to relief and reconstruction. This is made possible thanks to the generous ongoing support of United Church members to the church's Mission and Service Fund. These contributions allow the United Church to absorb the staffing and administration costs of processing donations for emergency appeals.

How United Church Members Can Help

* Pray: Our thoughts and prayers go out to our sisters and brothers who have been affected by Cyclone Nargis. You are invited to use the prayer written below.

* Donate: Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Church's Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal either through their local congregation or directly to The United Church of Canada's national office, 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4 or through our secure online donations page. Cheques and online donations should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked "Cyclone Nargis Appeal."

Please note: Supragifts cannot be counted as M&S Fund credits. However, they are eligible for tax receipts. Congregational treasurers may receive and receipt individual cheques and then forward one congregational cheque to the United Church.

Prayers for the People of Myanmar (Burma)

O Holy One, who speaks to us out of the whirlwind,
revealing how limited is our power,
how vulnerable is our existence,
how fragile our survival,
once again the winds and the waves have devastated a portion of
your good earth,
your creation has been laid waste in Myanmar.
By the tens of thousands, your human children
have drowned, have been battered lifeless, and
now countless are left without shelter or home risking disease
and death.
Our lamentations rise with our fear-filled rage at this loss, suffering,

and the senselessness of it all.
We cannot undo what has happened,
but fervently invite your embracing presence and love
for all who have died,
for all who are wounded,
for all who are grieving.
Let neither the dead nor the living be far from your Spirit,
they are all with you.

Gracious and generous One,
you love the world and all its people-your global household.
We pray for all who are witnesses to this destruction and death.
Near and far, weak and powerful, rich and poor-
we, who have been spared this killer cyclone,
observe and can hardly credit what we see.
As we watch brief video clips and read news reports,
your Spirit moves our hearts to compassion and generosity.
We rejoice in all who put mind, body, and soul into rescue, relief, and
restoration efforts.
We welcome opportunities to give so that life may continue.
We pray, move the hearts of those in power in Myanmar to transcend
self-interest
so that the freely-given help and aid may reach
the needy, the distressed and all suffering because of this
calamity.
We pray in Jesus Christ, by whom we know your Way, your Truth, and your
Life.
AMEN

(Scripture references: Job 40:6; Psalm 139:7, 18)

For further information please contact:
Gary Kenny
Program Coordinator for Southern Africa/Emergency Response
Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor St. West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada  M8X 2Y4
Tel: 1-800-268-3781 or 416-231-7680 ext. 4051
Fax: 416-231-3103
E-mail: gkenny@united-church.ca