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- Crosslinks Myanmar cyclone appeal
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11 July
Thank you to all those of you who gave to help the cyclone victims in Myanmar. We are glad to be able to help our neighbours by forwarding over £29,600 (as of July 2008). These funds were initially for food, shelter and medicine but will also be able to help the many longer-term needs. This may include considerable repairs to buildings such as Holy Cross Theological College, parsonages and churches in and around Yangon.
It is undoubtedly correct that many have given to support the pressing needs in Myanmar following the cyclone. Many of you may have thought of giving via Crosslinks because of our ongoing work in Myanmar. The three areas of ongoing work are Schools of Biblical Training, BEST Study Partners and Project Grants. If you gave to the appeal and would like to continue to support the people of Myanmar, or if you missed the appeal but would still like to help those in Myanmar please consider giving to one of the following. You can give over the telephone or via the web, please state clearly the area you would like to support.
Mission work, 2008 |
How much is needed, £ |
How much we have, £ |
School of Biblical Training Thai/Myanmar Boarder |
1,400 |
1,000 |
Study Partners from Myanmar |
3,980 |
0 |
Project Grant (Bible Schools, School for the deaf, Evangelism etc) |
8,100 |
746 |
TOTAL |
13,480 |
1,746 |
As ever thank you for your on-going partnership as we endeavour to take God’s Word to God’s World - today when the newspapers are reporting on an area - and every day.
10 June
In response to the Cyclone in Myanmar, the leaders of the church have now come together in a coalition called "Myanmar Christian Coalition for Cyclone Relief" (MCCCR). This was formed on the 19th of May, in a roundtable meeting with International Aid Agencies and Donors. MCCCR has now formalised this coalition with the appointment of a committee (representing all the major Church bodies, denominations, organisations, etc insider of Myanmar) and have come up with their 2 year Masterplan. Click here to download pdf copy
An interesting development ...on Monday the Minister of Religious Affairs called one of the Committee Members of MCCCR (not sure how he found out about it !!) ....and asked if he could meet with the committee. From that meeting, a couple of days ago, ....MCCCR is now recognised by the government and can do relief work anywhere it is needed (and even bring international donors to visit these places).
9 June
Greetings in HIM !
Please continue to pray for the victims of the Cyclone in Myanmar.
Monsoon season is now closing in, and hundreds of thousands of homes have yet to be rebuilt ...and over a million have yet to receive any siginificant aid. The Church in Myanmar has come together in a coalition called "Myanmar Christian Coalition for Cyclone Relief" (MCCCR) ....and are looking at helping the victims in 6 key areas :
--> rebuilding the community churches and buiding wells ...so that the community can have access to clean water, and the churches can be used as distribution centres for food and other aid.
--> providing children with basic supplies so that they can get back to school
--> feeding project for families --> materials for rebuilding of houses
--> providing "family kits" (basic supplies like mosquito nets, cooking utensils, etc.)
--> livelihood projects for farmers, fishermen and small businesses
The attached brochure provides details as to the cost of each, and if you need any further information on these ...please let me know. May the unity of the Church in Myanmar result in a strategic and coordinated effort that will result in an effective relief operation and have a longterm impact for His Kingdom.
25 May from Saw Edward, Coordinator for CPM relief work
Here are some more updated news from CPM Relief Team:
The Kyun Chaung village CPM relief base camp , is situated in the
Irrawaddy delta area at a very Southern remote place near the sea. No
government organization or NGO relief team has reach the area yet.
1. The cyclone victims taking refuge at the CPM relief base camp has
now grown to nearly 1500. About 900 are non-Christians.
2. CPM relief team is providing them with utensils, foods, tarpaulin
roofing shelters, fresh water and medical care.
3. Two medical mobile teams are formed, comprising of two doctors,
four nurses, two media persons and some volunteer medics. They are now
traveling to the effected villages in the area and are treating the
sicks as well as giving first aid and health care training to the
victims.
4. Planning for the raining season cultivations are now in the process.
5. A big motor driven boat has been rented and is continuously
transporting rice and dry foods into the base camp for the victims
consumption.
Thanking you for your prayers and supports.
With warm regards,
18 May from Saw Edward, Coordinator for CPM relief work
Dear Friends and Coworkers,
After the Cyclone Nargis destructed the delta area and the Yangon
region, Canon Fred David and Andrew Khoo managed to obtain Myanmar
tourist visas and visited Yangon for 5 days. Click here for their report
and the Archbishop Stephen's statement on the situation.
Warm regards,
17 May from Tancy McDonald
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus. By the grace of God, our house was not damaged by cyclone Nargis. The family is keeping well except for me. I went down with rapid heartbeat. I was hospitalized.I returned home a couple of days before the cyclone struck. We had been without electricity since May 3rd. I understand that they are now repairing the electrical lines. I'm still under treatment. Certain parts of Yangon suffered badly. I'm sorry I couldn't send an e-mail to you earlier, because of no electricity. Thank you and all our friends in England for your prayers. With our warmest love and regard to you and all the Crosslinks. Tancy
17 May from Saw Edward, Coordinator for CPM relief work
Dear Friends and Coworkers,
Because of meeting another assignment, I came to Singapore last night
and will be here for a month. But coordinating for CPM relief work
with overseas friends, donors and mission partners will continue from
here.
Here are some more relief work news conveyed tonight by Archbishop
Stephen.
1. The first relief team to Kyun Chaung area is now back in Rangoon to
do refill and recharge for another trip.
2. Written reports and photo documents will be made available soon to
friends, donors and mission partners .
3. An effective area based relief work committee at Kyun Chaung
village has been formed with the local leaders including the Parish
Priest.
4. This relief committee is now helping the cyclone victims in the
area of over 1000 people( over 600 Christians and about 400 Buddhists,
Muslims and Animists ) who are now taking refuge at the village.
5. The relief work is managed from the three remaining houses of the
village and the temporary shelters ( roofing only) will be made out of
waterproof sheets bought from Rangoon and will be provided to those
victims soon.
6. For these over 1000 victims, they have food left only for one more
week. The CPM relief team will purchase food and supply from Rangoon
and send to Kyun Chaung village as soon as possible.
7. Dr Isaac Marks has arrived back in Rangoon yesterday. He is now
coordinating local medical personals and will lead a medical relief
team to delta area this coming Tuesday.
Archbishop Stephen also mentioned about the other areas which were
also effected by the cyclone. Even though they were not severely
destructed as Kyun Chaung area, here are the other destructions that
Nargis did in the Rangoon Diocese.
1. Many buildings, including the library of the Holy Cross Theological
College were partially or severely damaged.
2. Most of the churches and parsonage buildings in Rangoon were
partially damaged.
3. Kyaik Latt town and Than Hlin town churches and parsonage buildings
were partially damaged.
4. Old Bishopscourt and ARTC buildings were severely damaged.
He also concluded that the CPM relief committee's priority at the
moment is to meet the needs of the Kyun Chaung area victims. The rest
cases will be handle later.
Thank you for your concern, you prayers and cooperations.
Sincerely yours,
13 May from Saw Edward, Coordinator for CPM relief work
Dear Friends and Coworkers,
Below is the newly arrived email from Archbishop Stephen. Things seemed to be moving. Heard today from a friend that the roads to delta are mostly cleared. Thanks for your prayers and support.
On May 15, 2008, at 1:19 AM, Than Myint Oo wrote:
Dear Edward, Andrew Khoo and Canon Fred from Malaysia arrived at Bishopcourt on 12 May and gave us medical supplies. We passed them to our medical team leading by Dr Saw Tha Wah. We bought some more medicines and gave the to the team too. Carrying some relief money you have sent recently and these medical supplies and leading by a deacon, two doctors and your nephew Micky, another team went to the most effected area ( Kyun Chaung) this morning. All groups who were sent the effected area by our relief committee except the group which we sent to Kyun Chaung came back yesterday. They brought back some details of the areas written in Myanmar and we are now trying to translate them into English. When we finish we will send them to you.
In Christ, +Stephen
12 May from Saw Edward, Coordinator for CPM relief work
Dear Friends and Coworkers,
I just got through to Archbishop Stephen on the phone and here are the
messages he conveyed:
He said one access team came back today and reported the situation and
the condition of the cyclone destructed areas as follows.
Villages under St Andrew's Parish( Kyun Chaung, La Puttar township ).
1. As for Kyun Chaung village itself, only thee houses remain but all the
rest disappeared during the cyclone. Fortunately all the villagers are
safe.
2. In Der Need Boke village, only 18 villagers left but the rest 70
villagers perished.
3. The Pone Kamar village, the whole village disappeared and the fate of
the villagers are still not known.
Villages under St John's ( East Pan Ter Naw ) and St Michael's
Parishes( West Pan Ter Naw ).
The villagers and their houses are spared but rice fields and cash crops
were mostly destroyed.
One team will leave in the morning to Kyun Chaung area with a local
doctor, relief workers, relief supplies, foods, drinks and medicines.
The Archbishop also conveyed his heartfelt thanks for your supports and
prayers.
9 May from Saw Edward Anglican Commission Centre PO Box 104, Mae Sot, Thailand
Dear Friends and Coworkers in Christ,
Up till today, foreign relief workers (even experts) are still not allowed to go into the Nargis Cyclone destructed areas in delta, Myanmar. Many victims are still without medical care or support.
With the consent of our Church leadership, we are now in the process of mobilizing a team composed of Myanmar medical personnel who are presently stationed abroad but are willing to go back to Myanmar, for the relief work, at least a month starting next week. This team will be called "Nargis Cyclone Medical Relief Team (CPM )" and will operate under the Church of the Province of Myanmar, Relief Committee. They will also work very closely with ACROSS (Anglican Crisis Relief Outreach & Support, Singapore). (http://www.anglican.org.sg/missions/across.html)To those who are interested in this program, we welcome your contribution in advice and kinds (sponsorships.)
To those who fit for the required personal profile, we welcome you for your contribution to the service. For further information, please contact Dr Isaac Marks, the coordinator for the team. The need is urgent. If you know of anyone who will fit the requirement, please let us know. Contact: Dr Isaac Marks Coordinator Nargis Cyclone Medical Relief Team (CPM) Mobile +-66845776945 Email isaacmarks2006@gmail.com
7 May
from: ++Stephen Archbishop Church of the Province of Myanmar
Please pass these news to our friends. As you know many people from the delta region including our church members dramatically become the victims of the recent storm. To help them effectively the CPM have formed a relief Committee on 7 May with 19 members including Archbishop, retired Archbishop, an assistant bishop, the provincial general secretary, the secretary of the diocese of Yangon, some clergy and lay persons etc.
As first step the committee divided three groups of people and send them to the three areas which were badly destroyed by the storm. They will come back on 15 or 16 May and report us the exact situations. Then we will carry on next steps.
Please pray for us and help us. In Christ,
7 May
Parishes effected
1. St Paul's Parish ( Kuaik Latt ) 3 villages
2. St Michael's Parish ( Nyaung Ngu ) 4 villages
3. St John's Parish (East Pan Ter Naw ) 4 villages
4. St Michael's Parishes ( West Pan Ter Naw ) 4 villages
5. St Paul's Parish ( Ye Lare Gyi ) 15 villages
6. St Paul's Parish ( Der Noan Chaung ) 6 villages
7. St Andrew's Parish ( Kyun Chaung ) 12 villages
8. All Saints Parish ( Ger Yan ) 10 villages
9. St Luke's Parish ( Ter Kun Taing ) 4 villages
10. St Mary's Parish ( Tu Chaung ) 5 villages
7 May
Dear friends and coworkers in Christ,
I just got through to Archbishop Stephen on the phone, the one which is not so near from his residence but which is one of the few still working now in Yangon. Here are what he mentioned.
He thanks all those that shows their concerns.
He mentioned that the villages where our churches are in delta are also effected by Nargis Cyclone.
He mentioned a relief committee had been formed.
He has given Saw Edward to take the coordinating responsibilities of outside of Myanmar for the relief works. Three groups from their relief committee will go out to delta area the day after tomorrow to monitor the devastated area and the destructions caused.
To let outsider know that the foreigners are still not possible to go to remote areas apart from tourism areas.
Money will be most helpful at the moment.
Saw Edward