News from the Archbishop of the CPM
Sitting in the midst of devastation. Photo by DCA-ACT International
Update Number 2 - 13 May 2008
After several days of trying to contact the Anglican Church in the Province of Myanmar (CPM), ABM has finally received word from Archbishop Stephen Myint Oo, primate of CPM, last weekend. Archbishop Stephen conveyed his thanks for the prayers and support of ABM and the Anglican Church of Australia. Following is a summary of Archbishop Stephen's report.
Although the church is struggling to respond to the scale of the emergency, a Provincial Emergency Contingency Committee had been established and 3 assessment teams had been sent to Labutta, Myaungmya and Pantanaw in the Irrawaddy Division. There can be no news of the well-being of clergy in the delta area until assessment teams return to Yangon on 15 May. Medical teams initially sent by the Provincial Office to the Irrawaddy Delta were refused access by local authorities and supplies could not get through and had to return to Yangon
There has been considerable damage to villages and there has been many deaths. People are suffering. There is lack of water, shelter, food, and medicines and there are not enough boats to access the area or fuel to run the motors. In Yangon, 6 out 13 parish churches were affected. Yangon faces the same issues as other places directly affected by the cyclone - lack of utilities and shortages of food and fuel.
CPM's Provincial office and Bishops Court sustained damage to roof and windows were blown in resulting in water and wind damage to equipment and files. The Old Bishops Court roof is completely gone. Many trees were blown over inside the cathedral compound and the part of the roof itself was damaged.
In addition to an urgent need for supplies and funds to buy supplies and relief kits, the Church also expressed an urgent need for an emergency disaster relief expert to advise the Provincial Emergency Contingency Committee on how to proceed.
Please keep the people and the Anglican Church of the Province of Myanmar (CPM) in your prayers.
Donations to ABM are tax deductible and can be made by the following means:
On Line: via our secure website, click the 'Donate Now' button on the home page and then select ABM's Myanmar Emergency Relief Fund in the 'Direct my donation to' box.
By Phone: 1300 302 663 or in Sydney: 9264 1021 (we accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners)