For the past week, the FH Relief Coordinator for Myanmar has been inside Myanmar getting a firsthand view of the devastation and great need. He has been conducting needs assessments, meeting with local partners and pursuing funding options for both large and small scale projects.

 

This upcoming weekend he will debrief with the Director of Relief, providing the next steps on how FH can move forward to have the greatest impact meeting the needs of the victims. We are currently working on developing various proposals and deepening partnerships with both local and international groups.  FH continues to support the work of the GRA through World Concern.

 

From some of our partners on the ground we have heard the following...

 

"Have you ever had a yard with a large tree and then have it removed?  The place is always different.  Even the light is different. Thus it is here..a sense of nakedness.  Rather eerie really. We are across from the Park which one could never see into before due to the beautiful foliage and the huge trees.  Now one can see all through it striped clean."

 

"One man came to his house holding his stomach. We asked him what was the matter and he said he hadn't eaten for 3 days. We gave him food."

 

"Cement light and electric poles lay smashed. Shacks are destroyed.  Even some of the better built houses with brick have part broken. It is amazing and very sad."

 

The numbers are still shocking, 134,000 people dead or missing and the UN estimates that 2.4 million people are severely affected. Please continue to pray for the victims affected by cyclone Nargis and its lingering affects.