Immediate Escalation Of Myanmar Relief Operations Needed - MSF

Immediate Escalation Of Myanmar Relief Operations Needed - MSF: "Fourteen days after Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, the needs remain immense in the Irawaddy Delta. Teams with the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) are delivering direct medical assistance and relief supplies to tens of thousands of people. However, MSF urges an immediate scale up of overall relief operations, which have been deployed far too slowly and are largely insufficient."

What Drives Disaster Donations - Philanthropy.com

Chronicle Prospecting Blog

What Drives Disaster Donations - Philanthropy.com: "What Drives Disaster Donations

Stephen J. Dubner, writing on The New York Times’ Freakonomics blog, says it’s a safe bet that you haven’t donated to help cyclone victims in Myanmar. Why not?

Charity Navigator: Crisis Giving: Cyclone, Earthquake, Tornados and Fires

From the Charity Navigator Blog

Charity Navigator: Crisis Giving: Cyclone, Earthquake, Tornados and Fires: "The number of charities responding to the Myanmar cyclone has grown considerably since we began tracking charities last week. Although aid is starting to trickle into the country, charities still face many obstacles in their attempts to deliver aid. So far, cyclone related giving is off to a slow start. Perhaps donors are hesitant to give in light of the fact that the government continues to hinder the relief efforts. Did you donate to the cyclone relief efforts? Why or why not?"

Maryland Daily Record

Maryland Daily Record: "Thankfully, relief agencies from around the world have sprung into action. Organizations, such as the International Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, whose very mission is to respond to emergency situations for victims of war and natural disasters quickly mobilized.

Just as important, the global community is reaching out to help. Governments, corporations and individuals are responding quickly and generously. But relief is being hampered by geographic isolation, poor weather, damaged infrastructure and, perhaps most challenging, political posturing."

Missing ecotourists located with satellite phone - CNN.com

Missing ecotourists located with satellite phone - CNN.com: "Twelve American ecotourists who went missing Monday in China's earthquake used a satellite phone to let their loved ones know they are alive and well, an official said Wednesday."

The Standard - Hong Kong's First FREE English Newspaper

The Standard - Hong Kong's First FREE English Newspaper: "Entertainment tycoon Sir Run Run Shaw yesterday became the most generous individual Hong Kong donor to relief efforts in earthquake-devastated Sichuan when he pledged HK$100 million for rebuilding schools in the province."

Shanghai holds charity events for the earthquake

Shanghai holds charity events for the earthquake: "Shanghai is reacting in a very Shanghai way to the tragedy of the Sichuan Earthquake-throwing a bunch of parties. Promoters and venues are putting together events to get the clubbers out putting their drinking money to good use. And what's wrong with that? Hey, you were probably going to get lit up this weekend anyways-you might as well get lit up for a good cause."

Students help Katrina victims with cleanup - Bedford, MA - Bedford Minuteman

Students help Katrina victims with cleanup - Bedford, MA - Bedford Minuteman: "Bedford, Mass. - While most students enjoy catching up on sleep during April vacation, 11 high school students spent their time trying to make a difference.

Three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, people are still in a state of shock and desperately trying to rebuild the city. Eleven students from First Church of Christ Congregational in Bedford spent April 19 to 24 doing volunteer work for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans."

UN plans new plea to Burmese generals on aid | World news | The Guardian

UN plans new plea to Burmese generals on aid | World news | The Guardian: "Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, plans to dispatch his humanitarian chief to meet Burma's top generals to press the intransigent regime to permit free entry to international aid workers to help survivors of the cyclone disaster"

Chinese Open Wallets for Quake Aid - washingtonpost.com

Chinese Open Wallets for Quake Aid - washingtonpost.com: "Since a massive earthquake struck Sichuan province and surrounding regions three days ago, Chinese have donated $192 million to help their countrymen, according to China's Civil Affairs Ministry. The fundraising has come as officials have issued a rare public appeal for cranes and rescue equipment, hammers and shovels, bandages and medicine."

Parker Pioneer - ParkerPioneer.net

Parker Pioneer - ParkerPioneer.net: "The members of the National Honor Society at Parker High School are attempting to raise $10,000 in five weeks to assist the victims of the cyclone in the nation on Myanmar. Kelly McGuire, PHS teacher and the society's advisor, said the funds gathered will be sent to the American Red Cross earmarked for Myanmar relief. In particular, the students would like to funds to go towards rebuilding schools."

Domestic donations hit 1.34 bln yuan -- china.org.cn

Domestic donations hit 1.34 bln yuan -- china.org.cn: "China's domestic donations in both cash and goods to the quake-hit areas had risen to 1.344 billion yuan (192 million U.S. dollars) as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

The MCA has received donations of 58 million yuan, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has received 624 million yuan, and the China Charity Federation has received about 220 million yuan."

China to audit use of funds, goods in earthquake relief_English_Xinhua

China to audit use of funds, goods in earthquake relief_English_Xinhua: "Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China

BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The National Audit Office (NAO) said here on Friday that it would audit the use of cash and goods for quake disaster regions, to ensure resources were strictly managed and used in a proper and timely manner.

Following Monday's devastating earthquake in southwestern China, a large quantity of funds and goods, including donations, were dispatched for disaster relief operations, and it was necessary to track how they were used, the NAO said in a statement."

EDP24 - Charity director's anxious wait

EDP24 - Charity director's anxious wait: "A Norfolk charity director based in earthquake-stricken China faces an agonising wait to learn of the fate of hundreds of orphans he had helped give caring homes to.

Robert Glover set up Care for Children 10 years ago with a project in Shanghai but now the Norfolk-based charity is active in 30 of China's 32 provinces and has helped re-home more than 1,400 children."

Aid Groups Pleased With Response to Myanmar and China Crises - Philanthropy.com

Aid Groups Pleased With Response to Myanmar and China Crises - Philanthropy.com: "Aid Groups Pleased With Response to Myanmar and China Crises

By Caroline Preston

Donations to help victims of the Myanmar cyclone continued to mount on Wednesday, even as charities faced enormous hurdles in bringing aid to the country. More than $8-million has been pledged so far to some of the biggest aid organizations in the United States.

At the same time, groups have begun providing aid to victims of this week’s earthquake in China."

Only 5% of Chinese earthquake damage is insured - firm - May. 14, 2008

Only 5% of Chinese earthquake damage is insured - firm - May. 14, 2008: "-- The earthquake that struck China's Sichuan Province this week, killing thousands of people, caused an estimated $20 billion in damage - most of it uncovered by insurance, a catastrophic risk modeling firm said Wednesday.

And given the precarious state of the U.S. economy, aid agencies say the ability of Americans to help the Chinese people recover and rebuild may be limited."

Stars unite in quake relief -- china.org.cn

Stars unite in quake relief -- china.org.cn: "Stars from the entertainment circle are making great effort to contribute to the relief work in southwestern China, which was struck by a major earthquake.

Kungfu star Jackie Chan and the foundation in the name of Hong Kong Emperor Group have together donated 10 million yuan to the quake-stricken Sichuan province."

China promises transparency in quake donation fund use_English_Xinhua

China promises transparency in quake donation fund use_English_Xinhua: "China's disaster relief authorities have promised to allow in public supervision as to how donation funds collected across the country would be used.

'Relevant government departments will shine light on the spending of public donations, and will submit themselves to audit department at the end of disaster relief work, lest misappropriations occur,' Wang Zhenyao, director of disaster relief with the Ministry of Civil Affairs said in an interview with state media CCTV on Wednesday here."

Canada falls short on aid to Burma

Canada falls short on aid to Burma: "The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami triggered a tidal wave of public support that pressured the Canadian government into rapidly escalating its matching-donation aid until it totalled an unprecedented $425-million. The Nargis cyclone that devastated Burma a dozen days ago has produced a relative trickle of public donations, allowing the federal government to cap its support at a modest $2-million, or roughly a loonie for every destroyed home"

Terre Haute News, Terre Haute, Indiana- TribStar.com - Disasters, economy could mean tough days ahead for nonprofits

Terre Haute News, Terre Haute, Indiana- TribStar.com - Disasters, economy could mean tough days ahead for nonprofits: "TERRE HAUTE — Hard times combined with multiple disasters may mean decreased funding, according to a local not-for-profit."

Corporations Lend Helping Hand to Myanmar, China

Corporations Lend Helping Hand to Myanmar, China: "Corporations Lend Helping Hand to Myanmar, China

By Aliah D. Wright, May 2008

Thousands of people dead or dying. Infrastructure obliterated. Homes and livelihoods lost to cataclysmic and unexpected destruction. Such are the results of lands laid waste by Tropical Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar May 3, 2008, and the earthquake that shattered southwestern China nine days later.

Yet the people of Myanmar and China are not without assistance, as humanitarian aid comes not just from groups charged with helping the afflicted but also from associations, corporations and thousands of employees worldwide—despite reports that some aid might"

Myanmar insists it can handle cyclone relief--state media - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Myanmar insists it can handle cyclone relief--state media - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "YANGON -- Myanmar insisted Thursday that it could handle the massive cyclone relief operation, despite warnings that many more people could die unless aid workers gain access to the two million people in need.

'Myanmar people accept any kinds of foreign aid with appreciation, regardless of the amount,' said an editorial in the government mouthpiece newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar."

Ministry: Donations to quake-hit areas hit 877 mln yuan_English_Xinhua

Ministry: Donations to quake-hit areas hit 877 mln yuan_English_Xinhua: "BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Donations in both cash and goods to the quake-hit areas had risen to 877 million yuan (125 million U.S. dollars) as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has received public donations of 311 million yuan and the China Charity Federation has received about 120 million yuan."

China Journal : Charity Begins at Home

China Journal : Charity Begins at Home: "While China may not be ready to accept foreign government aid for its earthquake relief efforts, donations are coming in from sources closer to home."

Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca: "OTTAWA (CP) — Canadian relief agencies said they are managing to help cyclone victims in Myanmar despite continued problems at the border. However, they fear Canadians will be reluctant to donate because of the country’s repressive regime."

U.S. airlift of aid supplies to Myanmar enters into 3 day_English_Xinhua

U.S. airlift of aid supplies to Myanmar enters into 3 day_English_Xinhua: "YANGON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Two United States military aircrafts with aid supplies on board landed at the Yangon International Airport Wednesday morning, starting the third-day delivery for victims in cyclone-hit regions of Myanmar, according to official sources.."

Quake Toll Rises; China Struggles to Reach Victims - New York Times

Quake Toll Rises; China Struggles to Reach Victims - New York Times: "In the aftermath of the earthquake, rescue workers across southwest China struggled to reach the tens of thousands of people who remained buried, as the death toll climbed above 13,000, according to provincial authorities. That toll is likely to rise still higher as workers break through to affected areas, making the earthquake China’s deadliest natural disaster in three decades. Hundreds of thousands are injured or homeless."

Marketplace: Relief groups tackle two Asian disasters

Marketplace: Relief groups tackle two Asian disasters: "Asia now faces the aftermath of double disasters -- the quake in China and the cyclone in Myanmar. Relief groups say they have supplies to send to both countries, but getting them there is another story. Scott Tong reports from Shanghai."

China earthquake toll update - CNN.com

China earthquake toll update - CNN.com: "he official death toll from the China earthquake stood at 12,012 on Wednesday afternoon, but it is expected to rise as soldiers and rescue crews pull more bodies from crumbled buildings at the epicenter in Sichuan province."

Smart Mobs » Blog Archive » Twitter crowdsourced China earthquake in realtime

Smart Mobs » Blog Archive » Twitter crowdsourced China earthquake in realtime: "While the mainstream media scrambled to put up their “breaking news” headlines Robert Scoble alias Scobleizer, was early to tweet the news. Quickly there were live radio interviews, pictures, google maps, videos all being sent in real-time, says VentureBeat."

MTV Newsroom » George Clooney & Brad Pitt’s Charity Steps in to Help Myanmar

MTV Newsroom » George Clooney & Brad Pitt’s Charity Steps in to Help Myanmar: "Well, the good people at Not On Our Watch, a non-profit dedicated towards ending mass atrocities around the world, read our story and emailed us some info. It turns out that the group — founded in part by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle — has given half a million dollars to Save the Children for emergency relief work in Myanmar (Burma). (That’s twice the amount we initially reported.)"

ABS-CBN News Online (Beta)

ABS-CBN News Online (Beta): "A US-based international non-government organization has added its voice to critics who are calling on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to demand that Myanmar (Burma) allow international aid workers immediate access to millions of victims of the horrific cyclone that recently devastated the country.

Washington-based Freedom House on Tuesday said that ASEAN should use all of its resources to urge Myanmar, one of its member-countries, including threatening to suspend Myanmar’s membership."

Houstonians Help Chinese Earthquake Victims - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston

Houstonians Help Chinese Earthquake Victims - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston: "HOUSTON -- Houston's Chinese community plans to send help to the earthquake-ravaged area in their homeland, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Many Houstonians spent hours Monday trying to reach family members more than 7,500 miles from Houston."

ASEAN aid meeting on Myanmar seen offering little | Reuters

ASEAN aid meeting on Myanmar seen offering little | Reuters: "Southeast Asian nations will meet next Monday in Singapore to discuss help for cyclone-hit Myanmar, but analysts say the group will not commit to a regional aid package or apply much pressure to speed up relief efforts."

Powerful Quake Ravages China, Killing Thousands - New York Times

Powerful Quake Ravages China, Killing Thousands - New York Times: "CHENGDU, China — A powerful earthquake struck Western China on Monday, toppling thousands of homes, factories and offices, trapping students in schools, and killing at least 10,000 people, the country’s worst natural disaster in three decades."

Aid makes us feel good, but how about real commitment? - Opinion - theage.com.au

Aid makes us feel good, but how about real commitment? - Opinion - theage.com.au: "Ignoring suffering is impossible, so is thinking there is a quick fix.

BORDERS between countries are often inconvenient — ask any tourist trying to negotiate minefields associated with passports and visas. But for some people, closed borders are literally matters of life and death. After the ravaging impact of cyclone Nargis in Burma last week, the world is again confronted with a dilemma. Just how much respect does a political line on the map actually deserve?"

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UN humanitarian chief says visa grantings to aid workers improved in Myanmar_English_Xinhua

UN humanitarian chief says visa grantings to aid workers improved in Myanmar_English_Xinhua: "- UN humanitarian chief John Holmes said Monday that more visas are being granted to international relief workers to get into Myanmar to help victims of cyclone Nargis, but still more are needed."

The New Straits Times Online......

The New Straits Times Online......: "The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) in Malaysia is appealing for more donors to come forward to contribute to its “Myanmar Children’s Cyclone Appeal 2008” for victims of the Nargis Cyclone in Myanmar."

Reuters AlertNet - Direct Relief Commits $500,000 In Cash To Myanmar Relief Effort - Airlifts Essential Medical Supplies

Reuters AlertNet - Direct Relief Commits $500,000 In Cash To Myanmar Relief Effort - Airlifts Essential Medical Supplies: "Direct Relief International today committed $500,000 in cash to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and sent an initial airlift of $200,000 in essential medical aid."

News1130 - ALL NEWS RADIO.

News1130 - ALL NEWS RADIO.: ") - It's been a scary experience for 10 University College of the Fraser Valley students, who were caught in the area of the earthquake in China. Kinesiology professor Greg Anderson with UCFV says all 10 students and one faculty member are a little"

Myanmar Cyclone Fundraising Sluggish -- -- Courant.com

Myanmar Cyclone Fundraising Sluggish -- -- Courant.com: "Charitable organizations tracking donations for the Myanmar disaster blame a lack of media coverage, which has been tightly controlled by the secretive government. And disaster relief groups say that the Chinese earthquake could siphon future donor dollars, as it moves to dominate the news."

Canadians fear for relatives, friends in China

Canadians fear for relatives, friends in China: "n Calgary, Chinese cultural associations were scrambling to decide what they would do to help the people of Sichuan province, the area hardest hit by the quake.

The Chinese Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association of Calgary said they would be working on a fundraising plan."

Burma’s Recovery Can Gain from Recent Lessons in Disaster Relief : Philanthropy Action

From Philanthropy in Action

Burma’s Recovery Can Gain from Recent Lessons in Disaster Relief : Philanthropy Action: "Burma’s Recovery Can Gain from Recent Lessons in Disaster Relief

by Laura Starita

Earlier this week a category three cyclone hit Burma at the low-lying Irrawaddy Delta, the South Asian country’s rice producing region, killing an estimated 100,000 people and displacing many more. Events such as these echo back to other recent devastating disasters, such as the South Asian tsunami of 2004, or Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Given the obvious opportunities for comparison, it is difficult not to think as well about the news stories reported at the time of those events on failed relief efforts: the violence that ravaged New Orleans; the images of bottled water and canned food piled up in ports with no efficient process for their dispatch."

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Cornwall | ShelterBox team in 'good spirits'

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Cornwall | ShelterBox team in 'good spirits': "t has been confirmed that they were the first UK relief team to land in the cyclone-hit country.

Workers at the charity's headquarters in Helston, Cornwall, have prepared another 1,000 survival boxes to be flown to Burma during the week.

The boxes contain enough equipment to house a family of 10 for six months."

globeandmail.com: Canadians open wallets in aftermath of cyclone

globeandmail.com: Canadians open wallets in aftermath of cyclone: "Canadians may be skeptical about donating money for relief efforts in Myanmar, but that's not stopping them from opening their wallets, say Canadian aid agencies with international staff in the devastated region.

Initial dollar amounts pale in comparison with the money Canadians donated in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunamis, but so far, aid agencies have raised more than a combined $1.38-million since cyclone Nargis hit the Irrawaddy delta region a week ago."

France seeks approval for direct aid to Myanmar | Reuters

France seeks approval for direct aid to Myanmar | Reuters: "France would prefer to distribute aid to cyclone victims in Myanmar directly but could work with the authorities if volunteers were allowed to supervise, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Sunday."

Google accepting donations to aid Myanmar relief efforts | Googling Google | ZDNet.com

Google accepting donations to aid Myanmar relief efforts | Googling Google | ZDNet.com: "After the devastating typhoon that struck Myanmar, their government is being extremely difficult by not letting the world help. This nightmare will hopefully end soon — but in the mean time, Google has started accepting donations for Unicef and Direct Relief International on this special page to help the victims.

Google has said they will match any donation made through this webpage — up to $1 million. This is a good start, and hopefully the Myanmar government will fully open up to accept the help from other countries soon"

Asian nations urged to apply pressure on Myanmar | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz

Asian nations urged to apply pressure on Myanmar | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz: "Clark urges pressure on Myanmar
May 12, 2008 8:43 AM

Prime Minister Helen Clark says Asian nations need to step up and put pressure on Myanmar to speed up relief.

It is estimated that between 1.2-1.9 million of the nation's 50 million people are struggling to survive in the aftermath of the storm that struck eight days ago."

Bangkok Post : General news

Bangkok Post : General news: "Thailand will act as a mediator to help with the movement of international relief supplies to Burma, which are being held up by the military junta and are stuck in Thailand, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said yesterday.

The move comes as the UN says up to 102,000 people could have been killed by Cyclone Nargis and about 220,000 are reported missing."

London Free Press - Editorials - Caution key to relief effort in Myanmar

London Free Press - Editorials - Caution key to relief effort in Myanmar: "anada has offered its Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and made an initial pledge of $2 million in relief.

Meanwhile, charities such as World Vision, which has Myanmar staff on the ground working to distribute aid, said Canadians are responding to its appeals 'proving again just how generous they are."

Disaster in Burma: The Dead Calm After the Storm - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News

Disaster in Burma: The Dead Calm After the Storm - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News: "It's difficult to imagine how the aid could get to where it's needed even if a fleet of planes were arriving here. The place has only one forklift truck. There's a crane that could help load goods, but it's been out of action for months for repairs, say the taxi drivers and baggage handlers at the airport."

5-year-old spearheads fundraiser

5-year-old spearheads fundraiser: "'I was concerned so I brought the picture to school and we decided to have a fundraiser,' said the kindergarten student, who attends Montessori Play and Learn Centre.

The five-year-old kicked off her fundraising campaign by making posters to raise awareness and by holding a coin drive at her school's 25th anniversary spring concert Saturday."

U.S. Begins Myanmar Relief Effort As U.N. Pleads for Cooperation - WSJ.com

U.S. Begins Myanmar Relief Effort As U.N. Pleads for Cooperation - WSJ.com: "YANGON, Myanmar -- The U.S. delivered its first relief airlift to Myanmar on Monday as the United Nations pleaded with the country's military rulers to cooperate with the international community in helping up to two million cyclone victims facing disease and starvation."

Mounting a Global Response to a Massive Disaster

Mounting a Global Response to a Massive Disaster: "Slightly more than a week after cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar, relief supplies—such as tarps, water containers, water purification tablets, mosquito nets and hygiene kits—are arriving and being distributed. Earlier today, an airplane carrying American Red Cross supplies, including 8,000 mosquito nets, arrived in Myanmar. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 220,000 people have received some form of aid, which includes 80,000 people who were assisted by the Red Cross."

Relief boat sinks, leaving aid in Myanmar river - CNN.com

Relief boat sinks, leaving aid in Myanmar river - CNN.com: "A Red Cross boat delivering supplies to help 1,000 victims of last weekend's cyclone sank Sunday when it hit debris in the Irrawaddy Delta region, as the U.S. prepared to deliver relief supplies to Myanmar."