- Channels of relief opening up; access to delta for foreign aid workers still
limited
YANGON, Myanmar, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- World Vision has been
able to increase its humanitarian response on the ground in Myanmar by sending
additional aid workers and supplies into the country, but the organization
cautions that increased access is still required to reach cyclone survivors in
need of relief.
Five foreign staff with expertise in distribution, logistics, water and
sanitation and human resources arrived in Myanmar on Tuesday morning --
joining nearly 600 staffers who have been actively responding since the
opening days of the cyclone.
In addition to technical experts, World Vision is sending in relief
flights loaded with supplies, including 2.3 million water purification
tablets, 5,000 tarps, 5,000 kitchen sets, 5,000 hygiene kits, 2,000 mosquito
nets, and 2 water purification systems that can purify up to 4,000 gallons of
water per hour. The aid agency had been reaching survivors with relief items
purchased in-country to this point.
Two flights have already landed from Singapore, and one flight is
scheduled from Frankfurt via Bangkok. An additional flight from Singapore is
being scheduled for next week.
"We are seeing positive indications that the channels of relief into
Myanmar are opening up," said Steve Goudswaard, Cyclone Nargis response
manager for World Vision.
"We are hopeful that in the coming days, we will be able to begin
expanding our humanitarian aid operation to reach even more survivors with
food, water and medical care. There is an urgent need on the ground, and we
cannot wait any longer."
While the additional staff workers and relief aid are welcome, there is
still much more work to be done. World Vision estimates it can help close to
500,000 people for the next six months if it is allowed to have greater access
to the hardest-hit areas in the delta region and can bring in additional
materials to distribute the aid as quickly and efficiently as possible. While
the agency is reaching select communities in the delta, overall access remains
limited and is hampering access to relief for those who need it the most.
World Vision is appealing for $19 million from its global donors to
support the first six months of its response. The agency has raised more than
$10 million so far-including $5.6 million from private and public donors in
the U.S.
World Vision staff in the region are available for interviews. Please
contact Rachel Wolff at 253.394.2214 or Rwolff@worldvison.org or Casey
Calamusa at 206.310.5476 or ccalamus@worldvision.org.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working
with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full
potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For more
information, visit www.worldvision.org/press.
SOURCE World Vision
Rachel Wolff, +1-253-394-2214, Rwolff@worldvison.org, or Casey Calamusa,
+1-206-310-5476, ccalamus@worldvision.org, both of World Vision
