Burma Cyclone Relief

How much has TEAR Australia committed?

TEAR Australia has made an initial commitment of $250,000 toward relief and rehabilitation through two of our partners - World Concern Burma and HOPE International Development Agency's. Both of these organisations have been involved with long-term community development in Burma and are in an excellent position to respond.

How will the money be spent?

Each of our partners is involved with resourcing small local organisations, with whom they have a long-standing relationship. These groups - church, community and volunteer organisations - are already in place and operational, delivering aid where it is most needed.

World Concern Burma's response:

World Concern Burma is working to meet the urgent survival and recovery needs of 50,000 survivors (10,000 households). They will provide their support through long-established local non-government partners. These are already based in the most affected regions, including the Irrawaddy delta. In their first emergency relief phase, they have plans to deliver in the first month:

• Household supplies including plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, basic toiletries for 10,000 households
• Food aid for 5000 households
• Medical care for 3000 households
• Water treatment, well repairs and water pumps for 3000 households

Click here to see more details of World Concern's response.

HOPE International Development Agency:

HOPE is supporting a medical team, treating thousands of survivors, taking their expert skills and medical supplies to some of the worst hit regions along the Irrawaddy Delta.

HOPE's team of 50 health volunteers, including doctors, surgeons and nurses, is now in the Delta. They have travelled in mobile medical units, visiting and assisting clinics. The team has been able to see and treat thousands of survivors, the most common ailments being skin abrasions and infections, diarrhoea, injuries and respiratory problems. Many people are experiencing psychological trauma, and the team report that injuries to the psyche are at least as prevalent as physical ones. They have also distributed large quantities of water purification supplies to those gathered around the medical clinics. They are accessing supplies from Yangon, travelling back and forth from the city carrying, small quantities at a time for security purposes.

Click here to see more details of HOPE's response.

Is aid getting through?

TEAR Australia's partners were already in Burma working with groups in the affected areas when the cyclone struck. They are very familiar with the people and the region, and with how to access resources needed for immediate relief. Because they are working through these established networks, using materials sourced from within Burma and personnel already in place, they have been able to deliver aid to the most affected areas.

Our partners are medium-sized agencies, working with much smaller community-based groups. Being small, and locally-based, they are in an excellent position to assess the needs of the people and deliver appropriate food and household support.

Why support community groups?

One of our partners in Yangon states:

"Cooperation between Burmese organisations and volunteers from community groups is strong. Some Burmese organisations are sharing staff and are setting up rotation systems for volunteers who are being sent to the Delta, in hopes of avoiding complete burnout for everyone involved. Once out in the areas where they hope to provide relief services, every member of these volunteer groups has a role to play. When a group of Burmese volunteers reaches a Delta community in need of assistance, the people from the local area immediately converge and want to tell their stories. They need to tell someone what happened to them, to their families, to their communities. The first role that the volunteers play is to listen to the outpouring of shock, grief and loss. Only then can they get set up and begin to provide the services for which they are technically qualified. While the technical staff set to work, the volunteer drivers, cooks and other support volunteers end up continuing to provide a listening ear."

Where are TEAR's partners getting their supplies from?

Supplies for both of our partners' relief operations are currently coming from inside Burma - from their own supplies, purchased from local markets or from other agency's warehouses. When transport into Yangon improves, they will access supplies from Thailand or other neighbouring countries, if necessary.

Who are TEAR's fieldworkers in Burma?

TEAR Australia also supports three Australian fieldworkers and their families, working with World Concern Burma: David Allan (Country Representative), Tamas Wells (Health Advisor) and David McClintock (Food Security Advisor). Read Tamas' reflections on the event here.

How long will TEAR Australia be committed?

TEAR Australia's commitment is to fully engage the funds we raise in immediate relief, medium-term recovery, and follow-up reconstruction work in Burma, over a three to five year period. Our partners' experience lies with long-term community development, and it is here that they have the most to offer.

What can my church do?

Please pray for TEAR's partners and their work in Burma, and consider taking a special offering for them. Click here for resources on TEAR's website that can be used for PowerPoint presentations and to guide the church in prayer.

Is TEAR Australia sending Australians to help with the relief effort?

TEAR Australia already has three Australian fieldworkers in Yangon working with World Concern Burma. They are helping with the relief efforts.

At this stage, TEAR Australia is not sending any further emergency relief staff to Burma from Australia. Any technical staff required in the first relief phase will be sent from other Asian countries.

Media Enquiries?

To Sally Cloke on Ph: 0432 885 304 or Email: sally@tear.org.au

How much will TEAR Australia take to cover administration costs?

TEAR Australia's administration levy will be 7.5%, which is standard for major disaster income.

Are donations to the Burma cyclone Appeal tax-deductible?

Yes.

What if TEAR Australia raises more than $250,000?

Should this appeal be oversubscribed, funds will be allocated to ongoing rehabilitation and community development with World Concern Burma, or to similar project work.