Disaster aid for Burma isn’t easy because the government is not exactly outsider-friendly. But my friend Richard Walden and Operation USA are already on the ground in Myanmar, because they’re a lean, mean relief organization that has a great reputation for being able to bring supplies into difficult places.
After the jump you’ll find the funds pitch they sent out yesterday. One thing I can guarantee about OP USA, if you give them money, unlike the average administration-heavy nonprofits, they get a big bang for every buck they receive.
OPERATION USA APPEALS FOR FUNDS TO AID IN BURMESE CYCLONE DISASTER
Operation USA has deployed staff already stationed in Asia to rapidly assess the needs of what is likely to be millions of victims of the recent cyclone which destroyed or devastated wide swaths of Myanmar (aka Burma), especially in or near Yangon (formerly its capital known as Rangoon) and its coastal areas. The cyclone saw winds of over 120 miles per hour strike communities living largely in housing made of bamboo and unable to withstand winds of such magnitude.
The Lincy Foundation of Los Angeles provided initial disaster funds to Operation USA for just such contingencies requiring an immediate response. Temporary shelter, water purification chemicals and medical supplies are among the most urgently needed items. Funds collected will be spent on these and other priority supplies. The Audrey & Sydney Irmas Family Foundation has also provided emergency funds for this effort.
Richard Walden, President of Operation USA, expressed a widely held concern among relief groups that the current military government of Burma will not readily facilitate foreign relief agencies’ access to impact zones, especially those from the U.S. “We expect that this unusually tragic event will soften the Burmese Government’s attitude towards international relief and that they will allow relief agencies full access to victims of this tragedy. It is in everyone’s interest that they do so.”Operation USA has worked with Burmese refugees for over 15 years along the Burma-Thailand border through partner agencies.
HOW TO HELP: Donations can be sent via Operation USA’s website, www.opusa.org, by check to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232, with a credit card by calling 1-800-678-7255.
Corporate contributions of essential products in bulk and with at least one year’s remaining shelf life can be arranged by calling Neil Frame, Operation USA, 310 838 3455.
We don’t have any difficulty with the homeless in Atlanta accepting help. It’s hard to understand a government that turns it away, especially considering the magnitude of this problem. Suddenly, in comparison, the handling of Katrina looks great.
Still, I hope that a lot of people do open up their wallets for this. America, criticized around the world, is always generous to help others.
Cute Animal Story of the Day:
The younger Case said “after the bear pulled him back out and chomped on the back of his head, he thought he was going to die.” His father wasn’t dead, but he pretended to be while the [grizzly] bear jumped up and down on him several times, then finally wandered off. “I knew right away he’d been attacked by something,” said Rob Sandford who initially helped Case. “What I could see [he was] basically covered in blood.”
Maybe Stephen Colbert is on to something. Don’t take any hiking or camping trips to Glacier National Park without an elephant gun.
Good point. On the other hand, since there are many times more deaths every year based on American’s unfortunate encounters with toasters—than there are bear attacks—I recommend also coming armed to your kitchen.
I’m getting pretty sick of this: UN halts aid to Myanmar after junta seizes supplies
I guess we’re pretty exceptional in mobilizing aid anywhere in the world, except right at home like in New Orleans. Guess we should put our own cities on the list of foreign aid recipients, where all the attention seems focused.
WBC, blame the former governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans for spending levee money on other projects and not evacuating the lower levels of the city, and blame the stupid people who stayed in town after being warned. Also, it’s impossible to have aid in place during the hurricane but could only bring it in after it was over.