DEC launches urgent Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal as UK charities reach thousands affected
As the number of those affected by the devastating cyclone in Myanmar continues to rise, leading UK charities on the ground in Myanmar (Burma) are starting to reach those who are homeless and without food and water.
Thursday 8 May 2008
With more than 22,000 people now confirmed dead and more than 40,000 missing, the need to respond is immediate and vast. The Disasters Emergency Committee have broadcast a national appeal for the DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal today, 8 May.
Speaking about the launch DEC Chief Executive, Brendan Gormley, said: "our members are there and need the UK public to show huge generosity to help them reach those thousands of people who have seen their lives and livelihoods uprooted by this disaster."
World Vision, the Red Cross and Save the Children are among the charities who have a long term presence in Myanmar and their teams have responded since the cyclone struck on Saturday. They are already distributing clean drinking water, hygiene kits and emergency relief supplies and aim to scale this up in the days to come.
Save the Children is a member of the DEC, along with 13 other aid agencies from Britain including ActionAid, Christian Aid and the British Red Cross. We all work together to provide humanitarian aid in times of disaster. You can still donate directly to Save the Children and we will use your donation to continue our vital work on the ground in Burma where so far Save the Children has helped 60,000 people.
Donate now and help us save children's lives.
