Almost seven weeks after Cyclone Nargis left 133,000 dead or missing in Burma (Myanmar), the situation is still grave.
Still Suffering:
There are 2.4 million people still suffering. Among these there are thousands of Christians. Decaying bodies float in the river tributaries. Mud and water cover land where homes stood. Farm land and seeds for planting are wiped out, along with rice that could have fed families for five months. Despair and hopelessness are etched on the faces of survivors who have lost so much.
Farming:
Speed is essential since it’s now rainy season and this intensifies the situation of the homeless. Plus, with the government’s instruction for people to go back to their villages, the need for house rebuilding becomes more urgent. Those who cannot return to their homes run the risk of losing their land should the government find they’ve settled someplace else.
Speed is crucial so that farmers are able to catch up on planting season. They have a window of less than two weeks now to prepare the land and plant the seeds this month. The Irrawaddy Delta Region is the central and essential “rice bowl” of Burma. If farmers are not able to plant, the entire country will face bigger problems of food supply the following year.
Open Doors Response:
Open Doors is responding quickly to the cries for help from our suffering brothers and sisters in at least two hard-hit villages:
• Supplying rice seeds to plant as quickly as possible.
• Providing parts to repair tractors that were damaged by the cyclone.
• Helping re-establish livelihood projects for needy families.
• Assisting villagers in the re-construction of over 300 homes.
• Providing chain saws and kerosene to cut the fallen trees and clear the area.
• Providing motor boats for transportation and communication.
Pray!
Please pray these supplies will get to the people in need…as quickly as possible!
To read more check out our website: http://www.odusa.org
