The Disaster in Myanmar

This is an update from my Uncle Rick who I am working with. This gives you an idea of the large mandate that Convoy of Hope has to reach out to the world. (**I am CURRENTLY in Haiti. Read the blog entry below this one to find out more about that trip)
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From Rick Ryan – International Director, Convoy of Hope

Dear Friends,
As you know, there has been a major disaster in the nation of Myanmar (formerly Burma). The national church in country is small but very strong. Convoy of Hope is going in before other groups to mobilize the national church to provide food, water, and other first response needs. We will buy food on the ground because it is impossible to get food and water shipped there. Convoy of Hope disaster relief personnel are departing for Myanmar to respond to this cyclone on Friday. An assessment team just returned from the region and reported massive destruction and widespread human need.

When residents emerged from their shelters after the twelve-hour storm, they found roads were completely washed away or obstructed by large debris. Most areas remain without electricity, clean water and phone service. The damage is of tsunami proportions with unconfirmed estimates of 20,000-50,000 people dead, another 40,000 unaccounted for, and 3 million people remaining homeless.

With the worldwide food crisis, food conditions in Myanmar were already strained. Kenton Moody, international director, said Convoy of Hope will continue to monitor conditions to determine when large quantities of food and supplies can be shipped and delivered in country. There is an immediate need for cash, he said, in order to provide victims with life’s essential needs ­ food, clean water and shelter ­ that will be purchased from neighboring areas.

“Convoy of Hope is about helping people and we want to be sensitive to the people and their culture,” Moody says. “We want to do whatever we can to help relieve the immediate suffering of survivors with what will be a long-term recovery.”

“The needs today and two weeks from today are far different,” Moody says. “With a limited amount of food and hygiene, people are hungry today, but in two weeks it could be a matter of starvation and rampant disease.”

The people of Myanmar need your help! You can help Convoy of Hope respond to this and other international disasters by making an online donation today or sending a response to the Convoy of Hope, 330 Patterson, Springfield, MO 65802. Make sure you mark your donation: International Disaster Relief. That way the monies can get processed and out as quickly as possible.

I won’t send you this request unless the need was urgent. Please pray for favor when our team tries to get their visas in Thailand. Please pray for the financial help we need to accomplish the task. Please pray for the national church in the midst of this tragedy. Please pray for a great revival to break out in this country.–

Living for an Audience of One …

Rick Ryan
Convoy of Hope
417-849-0539