cbm announces Global Emergency Fund
20th May 2008
Cyclone Nargis
On 2nd May 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar (Burma), leaving a trail of destruction and tragedy in its wake. To date, it is estimated that around 78,000* people have been killed; 56,000* are still missing; and that millions have been left homeless.
'For every ten, only around three are alive'
One of the worst affected areas is Labutta in the Irrawaddy Delta. Speaking to a news channel, a resident of the township said "The township has 16 village tracts. There are at least five villages per tract, and over 200 villages in total. People coming from the villages said that out of these villagers, for every ten, only around three are alive".
The Irrawaddy Delta was also hit by the storm's accompanying tidal wave. This wave swept through coastal villages and has been compared by some, as similar to the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.
Twelve year-old Ma Ei Lay walked for days to the nearest township after her family perished in the storm. "I waded through the corpses and came back to my village. I could not recognise my own village. Only some trees were left without leaves". Her journey was through a wasteland - with no food or aid. "I drank coconut milk. There was no water on the way".
Global Emergency Fund
CBM's focus is to help people living with disabilities and their families. These people are often the last in the queue for aid as they face increased difficulties in accessing help.
People with disabilities suffer most in crisis situations like these. A cyclone of this magnitude is a horror for anyone but imagine what it must be like to try and escape something when you are unable to see; unable to climb to safety; or unable to hold on to your children.
CBM has launched a Global Emergency Fund, set up to help people with disabilities to receive the much needed aid and to ensure that people with disabilities living in Myanmar (Burma) are not forgotten.
We want to help the people of Myanmar (Burma) recover from this disaster and your support is vital to bring hope to the most needy. Your help today will ensure that people with disabilities in Burma will continue to receive the medical help they so desperately need.
Please help today by donating to our Global Emergency Fund. This has been set up so that we can quickly meet the needs of people in Burma and for future emergencies. So, if we have any money left from this emergency appeal, please be assured that it will be used for such situations in the future.
Further Information
* Figures taken from BBC.co.uk Report "Cyclone mourning begins in Burma" (20/05/2008).
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