For Immediate Release For more information or if
you would like to help call:
Photos Available Upon Request Randy Souza
Feeding The Nations
574) 968-1566
Myanmar Successfully Received Local Group's Assistance
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Through its Finnish office, Feeding The Nations (FTN) sent $25,000 to missionaries in Myanmar to purchase food and water to aid the cyclone-stricken country. While most American aid organizations still struggle to get into the country, FTN's assistance has already begun reaching those in need, according to missionaries on the ground in Myanmar. A reported 30 tons of rice and thousands of liters of water was given to the hurting victims in 16 districts within the first week.
One of the missionaries wrote, "We are so grateful for the gifts that are flowing in from individuals and from some churches. This is a life and death situation and we pray that we will be able to continue to help villages in such desperate need."
Cyclone Nargis swept the densely populated southern delta of the Irrawaddy Division on May 3. Reports estimate that 100,000 people may have lost their lives in the catastrophe and 1.6 to 2 million people are in need of assistance. As the country recovers, it faces the challenge of finding clean drinking water because of contamination due to dead bodies and animals. While some cities have begun to have their water restored, those on the outskirts still need alternative sources or they run the risk of becoming sick.
Pastor Mung from Full Gospel Assembly reported that they were able to distribute one or two meals worth of rice to families, many of whom hadn't eaten in four days. He went on to say, "We also distributed one bottle of water (90 cups) to each family. This water is clean drinking water and it is vital that the people get more clean water before more get sick. At the moment the people are collecting water from dirty contaminated sources not fit for drinking. Yet, with no other options, they are using this to cook, wash and drink."
The Burmese government is restricting and denying relief organizations access to assist in the relief operations. Finding ways to work around the government's hesitation, FTN is working with people within the country who are purchasing the food and supplies in Myanmar and distributing it to those in need.
Feeding The Nations is a non-profit 501(c) (3) International Christian humanitarian relief organization with supporting international offices. FTN is a division of Provident® whose ministries are headquartered in South Bend, Ind. The mission of FTN is to deliver food, medicine, new clothing and other necessities to families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or other natural disasters. For more information, you can write Feeding The Nations, P.O. Box 2438, South Bend, Ind. 46680 or visit www.FeedingTheNations.org
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