Myanmar (MNN) ― Myanmar's government is accused of hoarding emergency cyclone relief, frustrating attempts to help survivors.
The supplies are beginning to bottleneck at the airports because the junta regime refuses to allow aid teams in to distribute them. Add to that a crumbling infrastructure, and every minute lost in getting food and shelter dispensed could be a life.
Trans World Radio's David McCreary says that's why their response is coming through radio. They've dedicated 30-minute broadcasts that will provide biblical counseling and care five days a week for the next year.
But with homes washed away and large tracts of land under water, nearly two million survivors are facing disease and starvation. So what good is radio when survival is minute to minute?
"They are suffering daily. Things like trying to find clean water, food, shelter, getting medical attention--these are all things that we are trying to address through our programs. [We can] tell them where they can go to get these needs [met]. People that have battery-powered or solar-powered radio become a vital link for these storm survivors."
McCreary says the broadcast provides more than a map to physical help. The programming will be specifically designed to help restore the lives and spirits of Myanmar's people. "Typically, they just try to cling to the hope that the Gospel can provide, so that's what we're doing: providing them hope through the Gospel broadcast."
TWR's Andrew Sundar, ministry director for Southeast Asia, says, "Currently, we are broadcasting existing shortwave programs to Myanmar in both the Burmese and Sgaw Karen languages. But the new relief-focused broadcasts will be vital when it comes to addressing the victims' ongoing needs."
Please pray that God will provide the $58,000 in necessary funds to produce this special series of programs for the spiritually-needy residents of Myanmar. Click here if you can help.
