Myanmar (MNN) ― Myanmar's leaders have agreed to allow access to all foreign aid workers for cyclone relief, but their delay may have cost lives.
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee's Jacob Kramer says they've been able to avoid that pitfall in getting aid into the worst-hit regions.
That's because their team bought the supplies locally and in small quantities. "Adding many small scales to each other still reads substantial numbers; thousands and thousands of people. That has been a real blessing for us," Kramer notes. "The Burmese staff, with low profile, could find their neighbors and their suffering fellow citizens."
CRWRC has been contributing to the relief effort since May 9 through its partner World Concern, another Christian relief organization with presence in Burma/Myanmar. According to the CRWRC, the way they have been able to get supplies to the survivors is to transfer CRWRC donations to World Concern which are then wired to the World Concern office in Burma/Myanmar.
That local team then purchases food and supplies through local suppliers-- suppliers from border countries like Thailand. Aid responses relying on local relationships are considered local initiatives by the Myanmar government, so aid can be distributed without interference.
The CRWRC is also trying to get matching grants from the Canadian government, which would double their impact. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will work with funds given by Canadian donors. All CIDA-approved agencies, including CRWRC, must prepare a proposal outlining how matched funds will be used to help survivors of Cyclone Nargis.
Kramer says it's all about the Gospel. "We carry that message with us with every kilo of rice, with every blanket, every bottle of water, or disinfectant pills for water. The Burmese know very well who are Christians and who are not the Christians. Bringing aid through those hands, they are really Christ's hands reaching out."
