Updated on 14 May 2008
On Saturday May 3 2008 Cyclone Nargis, hit South Asia and tore through the south-western coast of Myanmar (Burma) at winds of up to 210 km per hour. Approximately 22,000 people have lost their lives so far, more than 40,000 are missing and as many as one million remain homeless.
The cyclone caused sizeable damage to the nation’s primary infrastructure. Homes have been destroyed, transportation routes uprooted and power lines dragged down. It could be weeks before power is restored.
Moreover, the water supply lines have been affected, leading to a shortage of clean drinking water. With food supplies limited, looting and other violence related to possible food shortages have been reported. However, international aid is now beginning to reach the people for the immediate short term.
Click here to view a detailed map of some areas affected by the cyclone.
The World Federation has now received request from an agency it has worked with for many years. They have asked for supporting the medium and long term rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Myanmar.
The World Federation is therefore appealing to the community worldwide to donate generously to help those effected by Cyclone Nargis. The funds raised will be used to help rebuild the lives of the people there.
Dr Ahmed Hassam, President of The World Federation stated: 'We have taken time to assess how we can best add value to this large scale humanitarian crisis. We are now launching this appeal for aid provisions in the medium and long term at the rehabilitation and recovery stage of the crisis. Community members are urged to donate generously.'
Shan-E-Abbas Hassam, Assistant Secretary General of Relief & Economic Development stated: 'The disaster in Myanmar (Burma) is of a huge scale, one which is difficult for us to imagine. We can best add value in the later stages of a disaster. This is because our structure is very different to other organisations specialised in disaster relief. We shall work in the medium and long term and continue to inform community members with latest information and with reports.'
To Donate in Canada or USA, (via NASIMCO), click here
To Donate in Europe (via CoEJ), click here
To Donate on The World Federation Website, click here
For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org