I am proud that my Baptist world organization will be assisting in Myanmar where reports are that tens of thousands of people have been killed. Connection with the Baptist World Alliance at www.bwanet.org.
Baptist World Alliance
May 6, 2008
For Immediate Release
Baptists to assist Myanmar
Washington, D.C. (BWA) -- Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), has pledged US$50,000 to assist with emergency relief efforts in Myanmar.
Myanmar, formerly named Burma, experienced a devastating cyclone that hit the Southeast Asian country on Saturday, May 3, killing an estimated 22,000 people, generating fears that the death toll will rise even further as tens of thousand more are missing. Large areas of the country are heavily flooded.
In addition to the $50,000 pledge, BWAid is coordinating relief efforts with Baptists around the world. “We will be working with and through the very capable Myanmar Baptist Convention…. and we are in contact with BWAid partners in the US, Europe, and Asia,” said Paul Montacute, Director of BWAid.
Among the immediate needs of those affected by the cyclone and the flooding are for clean drinking water, nonperishable food, blankets and medical kits.
The Myanmar Baptist Convention, a member body of the BWA, is the single largest Baptist group in Asia with a membership of more than 1.1 million baptized believers. Baptist witness is largely among minority and marginalized ethnic groups such as the Karen, Chin, and Kachin.
Donations to the Myanmar relief effort may be made to the BWAid Emergency Response Fund at www.bwanet.org/bwaid or sent to:
Emergency Response Fund
Baptist World Aid
405 North Washington Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
USA
