Cyclone relief effort in Burma continues

Thursday, 14 August 2008

• Howick and Pakuranga Times

BURMA'S STRUGGLE: Stuart Corlett of Partners Relief and Development New Zealand, with a Burmese man in the Poppra area. Photo supplied.

A project director for Partners Relief and Development, Mr Corlett has been involved in ongoing assistance in Burma (also known as Myanmar) and comes to east Manukau this weekend to share his experience and explain the needs of the Burmese.The cyclone left 150,000 people dead or missing and 2.4 million starving and homeless. The effects are thought to be worse than for the 2004 tsunami, with many people losing everything they own, says Mr Corlett.“Those fortunate to survive have had to wait patiently for aid supplies to get through. While suffering deep grief and trauma, their circumstances have been made far worse by an evil military regime, which has openly opposed the delivery of this aid. It’s a natural disaster which has turned into a manmade disaster.”Partners Relief and Development works with Burmese community workers, who are still delivering aid deep into the country’s delta zone. “Their faith and sacrifice is inspiring,” says Mr Corlett.He says in many ways Burma’s journey has just begun. With entire communities now under reconstruction, survivors are pleading for ongoing supplies of food, shelter and equipment and rice seed for farming.“They’re especially grateful for the love that has been expressed through the aid received already.”• For more information, see www.partnersworld.org.nz.

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Cyclone relief effort in Burma continues