Canadians dig deep to help children at risk following cyclone
Donors put people over politics as emergency response gears up, says World Vision
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (May 9, 2008) – Canadians are responding with characteristic compassion to the needs of hungry, homeless children and families in Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis devastated their country one week ago. World Vision reports that Canadian donors have contributed $560,000, quickly responding to the organization’s increased appeal for $3 million for emergency relief.
“Compassion fatigue may exist, but it’s not evident right now,” said Dave Toycen, President and CEO of World Vision Canada. “Canadians are proving again just how generous they are. They put people over politics every time, especially when it comes to caring for kids.”
Toycen says that children who survived the cyclone now face the dual specters of disease and emotional trauma as their families and communities try to recover.
The spread of disease threatens hundreds of thousands of survivors camped in overcrowded schools, monasteries and damaged buildings. Water sources have been contaminated by saltwater and by bloated corpses and animal carcasses floating in the floodplains.
Water, food reach survivors
World Vision’s 600 Myanmar staff members are working around the clock to distribute locally-purchased supplies to Yangon residents including 18,000 litres of drinking water, 35 metric tons of rice, clothing, blankets, tarpaulins and diesel fuel for generator-powered water pumps.
The scale of the task is daunting, says Dr. Kyi Minn, a World Vision worker based in Yangon. “I am a doctor and an aid worker. It’s in my blood to want to help, but we’ve never faced a challenge at this level before,” says Dr. Minn. “Access to the hard-hit Irrawaddy Delta is very difficult and supplies are scarce. It’s very frustrating.”
The government of Myanmar has requested aid agencies provide zinc-roofing sheets, tents, tarpaulins and medicine. World Vision is coordinating with authorities to arrange an airlift of emergency supplies into the country from its warehouses in Dubai and Germany.
Children’s needs critical
Minn says medicine is much needed. A father of three, he says children are especially vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as dysentery, as well as malaria. One-third of children under age 5 in Myanmar suffer from malnutrition.
Cyclone survivor Myint Maung, 46, is worried about his son, Maung Soe, 2. The family took refuge in a school after the cyclone flattened their bamboo home. The two-story school, which normally accommodates 2,000 pupils, now shelters more than 5,000 storm survivors. More than half of these are children.
World Vision was one of the first to respond here, providing stocks of drinking water to the displaced crowds. Myint Maung is thankful for the help, but he’s troubled about the future. “Our place is still unlivable. Everything is under water. I have no money to repair my house,” he said.
After experiencing a disaster, children like Maung Soe are likely to feel insecure, threatened and anxious, which can lead to distress. Restoring a sense of normalcy and routine as soon as possible is critical to their long-term recovery. “Tens of thousands of children have seen their homes destroyed and family members die…[many have] seen dead bodies, or are now simply trying to survive in a terribly harsh post-disaster environment,” said Minn.
Drawing on lessons learned in caring for children during the 2004 Asian tsunami, World Vision plans to establish care centres called child-friendly spaces which provide a safe, stable environment for children to play and recover.
Toycen says that the post-disaster situation in Myanmar echoes that of tsunami recovery operation. “People’s homes and livelihoods have been destroyed, as well as much of the country’s infrastructure. Reconstruction is going to take years, not months. We’re committed to walking beside people for the long haul,” said Toycen.
World Vision has operated in Myanmar since 1961 and its donors currently sponsor 42,000 children there. Community development programs funded by the child sponsorship program include food assistance, agriculture, health, clean water, education, income generation and nutrition programs.
World Vision is accepting donations to assist those affected by the cyclone. Those wishing to help can visit WorldVision.ca or call 1-800-268-5528.
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. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit
www.worldvision.ca
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World Vision staff is available for media interviews. Please contact:
Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext. 2151
416-671-0086 (cell)
yoko_kobayashi@WorldVision.ca
