Five World Vision workers get into Myanmar

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Five World Vision aid workers, two from Australia, arrived in Myanmar overnight to help scale up emergency work and support victims of the cyclone that tore the nation apart on 2 May. 

The specialists in water sanitation, disaster management and human resource are trained at managing disasters and will work alongside World Vision's staff in Myanmar to support ongoing relief work. 

"This is a major breakthrough for us. The aid workers are emergency specialists trained specifically to respond to disasters. They'll support almost 600 Myanmar staff, who have been working around the clock since the cyclone hit more than two weeks ago," says World Vision's Director of Policy and Programs, Mr Paul Ronalds. 

Progress on the visas for World Vision specialists happened after the UN meeting with the Government of Myanmar and agreement to accept more help from ASEAN. 

Since the cyclone hit, World Vision has helped more than 135,000 survivors, distributing emergency supplies such as rice, drinking water, shelter, clothing and blankets. 

Mr Ronalds stressed that aid is getting through and reaching survivors. "World Vision has complete control of the supply and distribution of all its aid. That is, our staff handing out our aid directly to survivors." 

Forty child-friendly spaces have also been set up to look after thousands of children. 

World Vision is planning to bring in more international aid shipments of relief supplies in the next few days. 

World Vision has worked in Myanmar for 40 years working to end poverty.

Australians can help cyclone survivors by donating to Myanmar Cyclone Appeal www.worldvision.com.au or calling 13 32 40.
 
Media Contacts:
Michelle Rice 0402 503 227
Dominic McInerney 0403 163 125

Media Releases, Emergencies, Asia and the Pacific, Cyclone, Disaster relief, Myanmar, United Nations

Back to all Results