2008-05-09 22:48:09 -

- While major relief organizations worldwide are struggling to get relief to the people suffering from the effects of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, the Foundation for the People of Burma has mobilized through its partners in Rangoon to provide food, sanitation kits, water purification tablets and construction materials to refugees in Rangoon and Irrawaddy Delta - the hardest hit area.

The Foundation has already reached more than 5,000 people in Rangoon and hundreds of households in the Delta.

While major international experts from non-governmental organizations are waiting at the borders for visas from the Myanmar military government, the Foundation has been sourcing and delivering critical aid in Rangoon since the day following the tragedy. Even in the now nearly inaccessible delta area, the Foundation has rented boats and been able to reach some of the most vulnerable populations with food, clean water, oral rehydration solutions, and other supplies.

"The Foundation is committed to using its resources on the ground to provide immediate aid to the people of Burma, while it has been quite difficult for large international agencies to access vulnerable populations," said Hal Nathan, Foundation president.

"In the coming days we will fly more volunteers from other parts of the country into Rangoon and expand our relief efforts to reach more shelters. We will also arrange for volunteer Burmese medical professionals to support existing local clinics to expand their services."

The Foundation for the People of Burma is the largest independently supported U.S. based humanitarian organization working in Myanmar since 1999. Foundation programs have provided tens of thousands of urban and rural citizens with primary education, access to clean water, and basic medical care. Its goal is humanitarian relief for Burma, which is one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world.

Foundation for the People of Burma
Beth Jones, 415-217-7015
Program Director
info@foundationburma.org