Social Action Directors/Directress/School Heads

Social Action Network, Philippines

Dear Partners and Friends,
Greetings from NASSA-Caritas Philippines!

Once again, many people all over the world have been united for a common cause - to reach out to the families and individuals in Myanmar who have suffered so much due to the killer Cyclone Nargis.

Khin Maung Win/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Source Website

Nargis, which ravaged Myanmar last 03 May 2008, claimed more than hundred thousands of lives and displaced 1.10 million people. Death toll is expected to rise as many people are still unaccounted for. Damages to properties and infrastructures remain undetermined due to unavailability of information and inaccessibility of the affected areas for validation.

Myanmar 's Irrawaddy Delta, hit hardest by the cyclone, is home to nearly half of the country's total population (53 million people). The region is such a fertile area for rice growing that it is referred to as the “rice bowl” of Myanmar. Now, about 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square miles) of land remain under water.

For a while, our country also experienced disasters that were almost similar to Myanmar's current state. The four consecutive typhoons (Unding, Violeta, Winnie & Yoyong), which hit the country in 2004 and Typhoon Reming in 2006 left trails of death and destruction in many regions. During these times, many concerned and generous citizens from all over the world reached out in charity to help our people. Now, it is high time to demonstrate solidarity by taking part in and contributing to the relief operations being organized by the Caritas Family for the victims in Myanmar.

The New York Times: Children reached for food distributed Sunday by individual local
donors near Pyapon, Myanmar.
Source Website

We are appealing to everyone to help our brothers and sisters who are now in dire need of support. And to those who have already given so much, I appeal to them to keep up their resolve to continue supporting the relief efforts of the Caritas Family in the same generous way they have done so far.

In addition, we request that assistance should come in the form of cash because transportation of commodities may take some time when people's lives are already at stake. We are closely working with Caritas Asia being the lead Catholic structure of Caritas Internationalis in the region and with the Myanmar Disaster Response Committee (MDRC), which was formed jointly by the Church and Karuna as the operating structure for the combined Church and Karuna response.

Meanwhile, we also take this opportunity to inform you that part of China has been hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 in the Ritcher Scale. More than 12,000 people also died. Their government has already signified need for further interventions.

Please channel your assistance through this Relief and Rehabilitation accounts:

Bank of the Philippine Islands PESO CBCP CARITAS FILIPINAS FOUNDATION, INC
4951-0051-72

PHILTRUST PESO CBCP CARITAS FILIPINAS FOUNDATION, INC
003200137783

Kindly furnish NASSA with deposit slip at fax number (02) 5274144. Please specify if assistance is intended for Myanmar or China. For queries, please coordinate with Elvie Manalansan, Program Coordinator for Relief and Rehabilitation at numbers (02) 5274147 / 5274163 or email at novemberrabbit@yahoo.com / admin@nassa.org.ph .

Trusting that you will positively partake in this appeal. Our sincerest gratitude in advance. I remain,

Sincerely,

SR. ROSANNE MALLILLIN, SPC
Executive Secretary

Also see: Caritas looks to respond to China earthquake.