5.9.2008 8:52 AM

Myanmar Cyclone: How to Help

Charities Appeal for Donations to Help Relief Effort (UPDATE)

At least six nongovernmental organizations are working with the United Nations and the government of Myanmar with the intention of helping the victims – estimated in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions – of Tropical Cyclone Nargis.

As many as 100,000 may have died and hundreds of thousands, or millions, are without homes, clean water and food. Transportation and communications infrastructure is decimated.

The troubled relationship Myanmar's repressive military junta has with the outside world complicates relief effort, and there have been conflicting reports about whether and how much international assistance the government is accepting. Most reports indicate that the government is allowing some aid to reach victims.

Here's a look at some of the groups working in the region. The Daily Green will update this list as more information becomes available. (The New York Times offers more government and non-governmental agencies offering relief in Burma here.

American Red Cross

Myanmar Red Cross has already distributed thousands of family kits, containing clothing, blankets, cookware and hygiene supplies, and safe drinking water to schools and pagodas serving as emergency shelters. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has released an initial $189,000 to support the Red Cross relief effort in Myanmar. Donations to the American Red Cross International Response Fund can aid the short- and long-term support efforts.

Donate to the American Red Cross International Response Fund.

Or, call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), contact your local American Red Cross chapter, or write to American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

GlobalGiving

GlobalGiving launched the Myanmar Disaster Relief Fund, which will provide grassroots relief to the devastated regions of Myanmar. GlobalGiving has two government-sanctioned rural health care projects operating, the first having started in 2006.

Donate to GlobalGiving.

Journeys Within Our Community

This organization, which works on poverty in Southeast Asia, is mobilizing to provide shelter, food, clean water, blankets and mosquito nets to families in need.

Donate to Journeys Within Our Community.

Save the Children

Save the Children's staff is reporting that up to 100,000 children and their families are without shelter. Initial response activities include the distribution of 2 metric tons of food, plastic sheeting, water purification tablets and other nonfood items.

Donate to Save the Children.

UNICEF

UNICEF has deployed assessment teams in Myanmar and will focus on clean water, sanitation, hygiene, child protection and education. Immediate needs include: water purification tablets, plastic sheeting, cooking sets, bed nets, emergency health kits, and food.

Donate to UNICEF.

World Vision

World Vision supplies Family Survival Kits and emergency assistance, including food, clean water, blankets, shelter and cooking sets. It asks for donations of as little as $25.

Donate to World Vision.

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