As Myanmar begins to recover from devastation of Cyclone Nargis, World Vision is eager to address any of your concerns about its work in the country. Below are some of the most-commonly asked questions.

How has World Vision Canada responded to this emergency?

World Vision Canada has launched a $3 million appeal and has raised more than $1.7 million as of May 16. We have reached out to Canadians through our website, emails, radio public service announcements, newspaper advertising and telemarketing campaigns.

The money we’ve raised will provide shelter materials, water purification systems, medicine and food. So far, a total of $150,000 has been committed to the response, while an additional $350,000 is in progress. By Friday, May 16, a total $500,000 should be committed to the response. A proposal was submitted to CIDA on May 12 for $1 million for temporary shelters, potable water and sanitation facilities.

World Vision is also responding at the same time to the earthquake in China. Can you handle two emergencies at once?

Yes, that is because World Vision Canada is part of a worldwide partnership of World Vision offices. World Vision works with local staff in all 100 countries where we serve. We have staff working on the ground in community development programs who are ready to respond when disaster strikes.

In Myanmar, we have nearly 600 staff on the ground who have been responding since the day the cyclone hit. So far we have assisted more than 100,000 people.

In China, World Vision has more than 700 staff on the ground. Our assessment team has started their work in the earthquake zone and our response will depend on conditions in the region and the role of the local government/military. World Vision China is in contact with the government regarding this response.

In addition, our Global Rapid Response Team (GRRT)—a team of emergency relief experts—is currently monitoring the situation in both countries. This team is designed and trained to respond to up to four emergencies simultaneously.

Have sponsored children been affected by the cyclone?

No. World Vision Canada does not have any programs, partnerships or sponsored children in Myanmar at this time.  However, other World Vision offices support 31 area development programs in Myanmar, assisting 42,000 children. Six of the 31 area development programs (ADPs) have been severely impacted, and regular sponsorship operations have been temporarily suspended in order to focus on emergency relief.

Children are suffering and our local staff is working as fast as possible to provide relief. Many homes and schools were destroyed and children and families are now staying in relief camps as well as in their relatives’ houses. Children are the most vulnerable survivors–they are dealing with loss of life, injuries, displacement and interruption to schooling .

What are the immediate needs of the cyclone victims?

• Food, especially rice and salt. These commodities are still available but are becoming more expensive.
• Clean, pure drinking water. Water-purification units are badly needed.
• Shelter
• Clothing, especially for children.
• Medical services and medicine for injury, cold, and diarrhea.
• The most affected populations are farmers, fishermen, and daily wage workers. These people want to go home as soon as possible in order to prepare their rice paddy fields.

What are the risks of water-borne disease?
Water-borne diseases such as typhoid, diarrhea and cholera are a result of consuming contaminated water, which is often a result of poor sanitary conditions. Clean water and sanitation are critical for survival in the initial stages of a disaster. After floods, cyclones or tsunami, it is likely that all above ground water supplies have been contaminated with bacteria from the surrounding environment. In Myanmar’s case, the mixing of seawater and freshwater also adds to the water pollution. Disaster-affected communities will often only recognize contamination if it has affected the taste or clarity of the water; in many cases, desperate for water, they will take the chance and drink it anyway.

World Vision is trying to bring in water purification kits to assist with this situation.

What challenges is World Vision facing in getting aid into Myanmar?
There have been some delays in getting supplies into the country and obtaining visas for additional World Vision staff seeking to enter Myanmar. However, we already have nearly 600 staff working for World Vision in Myanmar – mostly all nationals. As such, we have established strong community relationships, putting us in a strong position to distribute the relief supplies most efficiently.

We have also obtained permission from the government to ship in emergency aid duty-free. World Vision will closely monitor the distribution of this aid and ensure it reaches those most in need.

Will people die if they don’t receive this aid quickly?
World Vision and other NGOs are working hard to help prevent this. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced and living in very dire conditions. Among the things we are most worried about is lack of access to clean water and the outbreak of diseases such as dysentery and cholera. It is imperative that we get water-purification systems and other aid to people.

How long will the relief effort take?
The recovery operation may take years. The post-disaster situation in Myanmar echoes that of the South Asia Tsunami recovery operation. However, the after effects may be even more devastating than the Tsunami unless aid agencies are able to get supplies into the country. An epidemic of disease, including dysentery and cholera, may break out. After the Tsunami, aid arrived relatively quickly, but time is ticking in Myanmar. The Tsunami wave traveled about 3 km inland in most countries, but the cyclone devastated 250 km of land, including rice paddies.

“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 Dave Toycen.

Does World Vision cooperate with the military government in Myanmar?
Yes. However, our aid supplies are not given to the government to distribute.

In the case of this emergency, politics are secondary and people come first. With this in mind, we are coordinating with the government in Myanmar to ensure the most efficient distribution of aid. For example, World Vision Myanmar's national director has met the Minister of Social Welfare to discuss how to get aid to the difficult-to-access delta region, travel arrangements for additional relief workers, and which areas need to be prioritized.

World Vision is one of three NGOs that have been invited by the government of Myanmar to provide cyclone relief (along with Unicef and Japan International Cooperation Agency).

Along with other leading international aid agencies, we are signatories of a NGO charter that mandates that we uphold values of independence and neutrality in our delivery of programs.

What is World Vision’s history in Myanmar?
World Vision Myanmar is a grassroots organization, made up mostly of Myanmar nationals. Our aim in Myanmar is to empower communities. We have worked there since 1961 and currently assist children and families across the country through food assistance, agriculture, health, clean water, education, income generation, and nutritional assistance programs.

World Vision Canada does not have any programs, partnerships or sponsored children in Myanmar at this time. However, other World Vision offices support 31 ADPs in Myanmar. These programs assist 42,000 children and operate with a total budget of US$12.9 million. World Vision’s national office in Myanmar is based in Yangon—the country’s largest city and a state-declared disaster zone. There are 583 World Vision staff members in Myanmar—mostly all nationals.

How much money are you trying to raise?
World Vision Canada has launched an initial fundraising appeal to raise $3 million. In addition, a proposal was submitted to CIDA on May 12 for $1 million for temporary shelters, potable water and sanitation facilities.

How can I help?
We are asking people to make a cash donation to help with the emergency relief efforts. Click here to give a gift toward relief efforts in Myanmar.

More Information
If you have any further questions, click here.