In what has to be one the most hard-hearted and hard-headed moves in my lifetime, the military regime ruling Myanmar (formerly Burma) is doing everything in their power to throw roadblocks in the way of humanitarian aid to the areas devastated by Cyclone Nargis on May 2. Current U.N. reports estimate nearly 23,000 dead and nearly 42,000 missing. Even worse, reports indicate that due to a lack of clean water, dead bodies carrying disease and lack of food and shelter, the death toll could conceivably pass 100 thousand!
UMCOR is working with their partner, Church World Service, trying to get aid to those who need it. At this point however, the Myanmar government is un-cooperative, although they have requested aid. If you are United Methodist (and even if you’re not) you have an opportunity to donate to relief efforts. If you click on this link you can select a link from the UMCOR website to donate online. Additionally, you can put a check marked for UMCOR Advance #3019674 Myanmar Emergency in the offering plate of your local United Methodist Church and the offering will be forwarded on through your Annual Conference. Because of our response to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering (to cover administrative support costs), 100% of your donation goes toward disaster relief.
If there ever was a time to “do unto the least of these” it is now.
