U.S. Dept. of Treasury Lifts Restrictions on Money Transfers to Myanmar

The U.S. Department of Treasury today lifted the restrictions on personal money transfers for those who have friends and family in Myanmar / Burma:

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in consultation with the Department of State, has moved to ease the humanitarian crisis in Burma by removing the limit on funds that U.S. individuals are allowed to send to family and friends in Burma.

"The people of Burma need all the help we can provide during this crisis," said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. "This action will speed the flow of aid to the Burmese people by allowing Americans to send an unlimited amount of funds to their relatives and friends who are in need."

This action, made effective by the issuance of General License No. 15, authorizes U.S. financial institutions to process transfers of funds, unlimited in amount, for noncommercial, personal remittances to or from Burma, or for or on behalf of an individual ordinarily resident in Burma. Prior to the issuance of this general license, noncommercial, personal remittances to Burma were only permitted if the total remittances did not exceed $300 per Burmese household in any consecutive three-month period...

(Via World Wide Help)

Muscle Into Myanmar?

An article on Time Magazine's site is receiving a lot of attention, because it posits that maybe it's time to "invade" Myanmar in order to ameliorate the burgeoning crisis. Time editor Romesh Ratnesar is also defending his position on NPR's Talk of the Nation this afternoon, and I'll put up a link once the discussion is archived. (Update: link here)

The following press release was issued on 5/11/08 by the 31st U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit:

ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea , May 11, 2008 - Marines and Sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group are preparing for possible humanitarian assistance operations to aid cyclone-stricken Burma.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is steaming to support potential humanitarian-assistance operations in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma May 1 and 2. Some estimates have put the death toll at more than 100,000. So far, the Burmese military government has allowed only one U.S. shipment of relief supplies.

"This is what we are here for," Navy Chief Petty Officer Andres Carillo, of the USS Essex, said. "It's our mission to help those in need."

The amphibious readiness group includes the forward-deployed amphibious ships USS Essex, USS Juneau, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Mustin. The servicemembers are working to fill more than 14,000 5-gallon plastic water bladders with fresh water. In the event of humanitarian operations, the water could be loaded onto landing craft and helicopters to be distributed to those affected by the cyclone...

What do you think? Is it time, as Ranesar believes, to "give war a chance"? Or should NGOs and the international community continue to work through established channels, no matter how frustrating the efforts might be?

Personal FAQ

I've been asked why I created Myanmar Relief, and what my connection is to Myanmar / Burma.

The short answer to the "why" question is fairly simple: I'm an organizer by nature, and also have a fairly strong social conscience. About 15 years ago, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in Florida, it was clear to me that local or national disaster response governmental bureaucracies (and even NGOs, in some cases) aren't necessarily the most efficient organizations when it comes to quickly getting aid where it's needed. So I reached out to my personal networks of contacts, friends, and families, and organized one of the first relief efforts to reach South Florida after the hurricane.

Since that time, when a major disaster hits anywhere in the world (or I perceive a grievous social injustice) I've tried to assist in some manner. The internet has become a fantastic tool for organizing and focusing the necessary information, and I've developed the skills (and networking contacts) over the years to quickly throw a site like this together in order to aggregate information and facilitate relief efforts.

One thing that drives me absolutely crazy is when political considerations get in the way of helping every day people in humanitarian situations. Then again, that's why you haven't read much here about the political situation in Myanmar, and why I've tried to limit any commentary about delays in getting aid where it's needed. In taking this approach, I've tried to focus on how to get the job done, rather than bitch about the obstacles.

My connection to the tragedy? None, other than my connection to the human race. That's the strongest connection I can imagine.

Myanmar Relief Agency Updates

From email, International Red Cross contact info:

Myanmar Red Cross Society
phone: +95 1 383680; fax: +95 1 383675, email: mrcshsec@redcross.org.mm

Federation country office in Myanmar: Bridget Gardner, head of country office
phone: +95 95130564; fax: +95 1 682588; email: ifrcmm01@redcross.org.mm

For mobilization of relief items: Jeremy Francis, regional logistics coordinator
phone: +60 12298 9752, fax: +60 3 2168 8573, email: jeremy.francis@ifrc.org

Update from VIA Programs

I received the following email from VIA Programs, which has an ongoing presence in Myanmar:

Hi Richard,

I want to share with you a note from one of our former volunteers who is still in Myanmar. She sent this two days ago. Perhaps some of the information is useful. See below.

The situation in the delta and coastal regions becomes increasingly dire everyday. The next week is crucial as people struggle against dehydration, starvation and disease. Internal migrants have clustered in neighboring towns and villages both in search of water and to escape the stench of dead bodies. They have the clothes on their backs but little else. There are nearly no sanitation facilities to clean wounds from the storm's damage and an overwhelming lack of medical supplies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Ayeyarwaddy Division alone, 26 makeshift relief camps have been set up to accommodate over 100,000 refugees. The number of people homeless and vulnerable are estimated to be between 2 to 4 million. The need for immediate outside assistance is staggering. See their website http://www.who.int/hac/crises/mmr/en/index.html for more information.

In contrast, the situation in central Yangon has improved in the six days since Cyclone Nargis. Internet access and phone lines have returned for several businesses, hotels and households. The city electricity grid is working for parts of downtown and north of the city. Fuel prices seem to be stabilizing. Though on Monday the black market price jumped from $2.50 to $8.50 per gallon, on Thursday it dropped to $7.70 per gallon. Food costs, however, remain high. An egg that used to cost $0.10 now costs $0.43, and rice prices have at least doubled. Central Yangon, however, is far better off than the outskirts of the city (e.g. Dala or Hlaing Thayar) which still need much assistance.

Many people have asked me how to help. You can

• Give to a local non-governmental organization. I strongly recommend Metta Development Foundation, www.metta-myanmmar.org. In 2004, Metta was part of the tsunami relief efforts in southern Myanmar and have maintained a presence there that now is being utilized. The organization has over 450 committed staff members and nearly 11 years experience in the field. Their project workers in the cyclone-affected areas were out helping the day after the storm hit and have impacted about 2,100 lives in the past six days. Coordinating with UNWFP, UNICEF, UNDP, ADRA and PACT, Metta is currently distributing food, water, medical supplies and living essentials to the refugee camps in Ayeyarwaddy Division. They are dedicating 100% of funds given to the cyclone victims towards getting to and assisting the affected people (administration and overhead costs will be absorbed by the organization). Please email one of Metta's founders, Seng Raw, at sraw@metta.com.mm for details on how to transfer funds into a Singapore account which is accessible to them the day after the deposit. I have to move to Vietnam in two weeks for a work commitment I made prior to the cyclone but while here will help Metta to email updates to all donors on what is being done daily (which will continue after I leave).
  
  
• Pledge money through me. I have funds in country now that I am taking out to give to individuals and businesses going into indigent neighborhoods on the outskirts of Yangon. These people need the financial assistance NOW that can buy them drinking water and food. If you email me what you'd like to contribute, I can give in your name. Every dollar counts. For the price of one night's dinner out, you can save lives.
  
  
• Give to an international organization. There are many good organizations working in Myanmar and here are some I believe have the best on-the-ground resources and experience in emergency work. Remember to specify that you want the funds to go to the Myanmar cyclone relief efforts when you give.
  
  1. Artsen Zonder Grenzen or Medicins Sans Frontieres—Doctors without Borders Holland or Switzerland, respectively. They have many health and food programs within Myanmar already.
     
  2. Save the Children Myanmar (U.S.)
     
  3. Care International Myanmar (U.K.)

NGO Questionnaire Response: AmeriCares

Mr. Curt Welling of AmeriCares provided the following responses to the questionnaire that was posted yesterday for all interested NGOs. I will post all individual responses received, and also roll up into a spreadsheet early next week:

NGO Questionnaire Response: AmeriCares

What is AmeriCares "niche" in disaster recovery from an event such as Cyclone Nargis, particularly in a closed society such as that in Myanmar?

AmeriCares expertise or “niche” is in disaster recovery is the supply of medicines and relief supplies to health care providers; networking in partnership with governments, international bodies, NGOs and pharmaceutical donors to quickly and effectively deliver aid to those in need.

AmeriCares has over 25 years of experience providing disaster relief and recovery in countries with significant access and security issues. For example, AmeriCares has been working in Darfur since 2004 and is about to send its 10th airlift of medicines and medical supplies into West Darfur in a matter of weeks. We delivered aid into Iran following the Bam earthquake in December 2004 and into Pakistan following the earthquake in 2005. We have also delivered aid to politically and logistically challenging countries such as North Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq. We are successful in negotiating with governments by focusing on the main goal – providing immediate relief to their citizens suffering in the wake of a disaster.

Has your organization worked in the past in Myanmar / Burma?

Through AmeriCares Medical Outreach Program, we donate medical products to volunteer U.S. healthcare professionals who travel overseas to provide charitable medical care to some of the most marginalized and under-served people in more than 70 countries around the world. Many of the Medical Outreach Program missions have provided assistance to patients in Myanmar/Burma.

If so, what has been your organization's experience in working with the national government?

We are in the process of working through diplomatic channels to secure clearance for our people and aid.

What is AmeriCares involvement with Cyclone Nargis relief efforts at this point? Do you have personnel on the ground in Myanmar at this time?

AmeriCares has personnel on the ground in Bangkok. We are working through diplomatic channels to secure visas for them and additional expert aid workers and to receive clearance to deliver an initial airlift of over 15 tons of medicines and medical supplies to Myanmar. We are actively coordinating with aid agencies and NGOs in-country to assess the situation and determine what additional medicines and medical supplies will be needed to treat the short-term and long-term health complications brought on by the cyclone.


From a triage perspective, what are the most basic needs on the ground, and what is AmeriCares' role in meeting those needs? And in a longer range view, how do you see your participation in recovery efforts integrating into a post-recovery environment?

In a disaster, time is of the essence. Survivors need basic medical care, safe drinking water, food and shelter. And they need it quickly; a quick response ensures that a greater number of people can be saved.

In the case of a cyclone, basic first aid materials, antibiotics and water purification treatments are all desperately needed. AmeriCares has assembled an airlift containing 15 tons of antibiotics, analgesics, ointments and multivitamins as well as supplies such as water purification tablets to treat the immediate needs of those injured and to help prevent the anticipated spread of illness and disease throughout the region.

Post-recovery, AmeriCares is a partner in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of local health care infrastructures. AmeriCares played a critical role in the relief and reconstruction efforts in Indonesia and Sri Lanka following the December 2004 tsunami, in which some 160,000 people perished. We are still there, rebuilding hospitals, water and sanitation infrastructure, supporting training and providing medical equipment to many communities. In Indonesia and Sri Lanka, we have worked to construct and rehabilitate 44 health care facilities including hospitals, clinics and health posts, and have supplied over 200 health care facilities with equipment, medicine and medical supplies.

Given the scale of the destruction in Myanmar, we anticipate providing long-term aid and continuing to support healthcare workers on-the-ground.

Are you coordinating response with other NGOs or local relief agencies in Myanmar?

Yes. AmeriCares is working with the WHO Health Sector in Bangkok – the United Nation’s coordinating body for the relief effort in Myanmar. We are working with our international NGO colleagues and their local partners in Myanmar as well as teams that organize volunteer missions following natural disasters.

Anything else that you think is important for people to know about relief efforts in general, or AmeriCares involvement in particular?

At time of great natural disaster, many individuals are moved to do something to help ease the suffering of those most affected. AmeriCares encourages individuals that the best way to help victims of Cyclone Nargis is to donate money to reputable relief organizations. AmeriCares relies on donations of medicines, medical equipment and relief supplies from manufacturers and on financial donations to fund the transportation of relief aid to the affected areas. To learn more about how to donate to AmeriCares, visit: www.americares.org.

Benefits and Fundraisers?

If anyone is aware of benefits or fundraisers for the victims of Cyclone Nargis, anywhere in the world, please drop me an email and I'll post the details here.

Also, was informed this morning that Americares is going to be using Twitter to keep everyone abreast of what they're doing in terms of relief efforts, and what their teams on the ground are finding. I heard last night that phone and internet services are being restored, at least in parts of Yangon / Rangoon. That's good, at least from the standpoint that to have internet and phone, they have to be restoring electricity as well.

NGO Questionnaire - Myanmar/Burma

If you represent an NGO that is participating in Myanmar/Burma recovery efforts (or plans to do so), the following questionnaire can be used to document your agency's efforts. Please cut and paste into your email program, answer whatever questions are appropriate for your organization, and forward to: myanmarrelief@yahoo.com

I've already sent this out to several agencies, and will compile all information that is received by early next week into a downloadable spreadsheet.

---

What is your organization's "niche" in disaster recovery from an event such as Cyclone Nargis?

Has your organization worked in the past in Myanmar / Burma?

If so, what has been your organization's experience in working with the national government?

What is your organization's involvement with Cyclone Nargis relief efforts at this point?

Do you have personnel on the ground in Myanmar/Burma at this point in time?

Are you coordinating response with other NGOs or local relief agencies in Myanmar/Burma?

From a triage perspective, what are the most basic needs on the ground, and what is your organization's role in meeting those needs?

And in a longer range view, how do you see your participation in recovery efforts integrating into a post-disaster environment?

Myanmar relief contacts at your agency:

Volunteers:

In-kind donations:

Monetary donations:

Comments / other information:

Please forward to: myanmarrelief@yahoo.com

And really people, the citizens of this country need anything to help, from housing to cheap health insurance.

Where are Burma's Neighbors?

From Rule of Lords, by Awzar Thi:

In the worst affected areas, flattened villages and ruined crops are still littered with bodies and not a single person has turned up to assist. Many places, such as Laputta, remain partly submerged and the numbers of the dead and missing not yet entered into the daily rising tallies.

So where are Burma's neighbors? Not long after the storm struck, the Association of Southeast Asian Nation's secretary-general, the former foreign minister of Thailand, Surin Pitsuwan, called on the other nine member states to give generously, and hoped the same of its partners, which include heavyweights China, South Korea and Japan.

His appeal seems to have fallen on deaf ears...

More here.

Update: Aid Starts Trickling Into Myanmar

Over the past couple of days, the primary narrative being spun in the media is the frustration level of various agencies in being allowed to bring aid into Myanmar, both in terms of supplies and personnel. As of this morning (Thursday, 5/8) relief aid is starting to trickle into the chaotic situation in Yangon.

It's surprising that organizations who never had a presence on the ground in Myanmar expect to crash the borders, good intentions or not. Regardless of what the world community thinks of the government in Myanmar, there isn't a country in the world which would just throw open their borders, regardless of the scope of a natural disaster, without vetting the groups who wish to help. That's simple national security in any country. I would expect that's even more true for a reclusive and paranoid government such as that of the Shwe regime. What's surprising is that media reporters such as CBS News' Celia Hatton are surprised:

"They're suspicious of the motives of NGO's and the U.S. government and that is not going to change," said Hatton. "Also many people believe that the military regime wants to get political credit for distributing aid itself so it has asked for help but it wants to be seen as giving the aid directly to the people and it wants to be able to get the thanks from the Burmese people for doing so."

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on the U.S. Gulf Coast, many countries offered immediate and tangible assistance, among them Cuba (medical support) and Venezuela (water purification and portable power plants). The Bush administration refused to accept the offers of aid from either country, even as the residents of New Orleans perched on roofs for days, and were unable to get even the most basic assistance from U.S. government rescue teams.

NGOs who have an established presence in Myanmar do not appear to be having significant issues with access to the country (though getting to the remote areas of the Irrawaddy delta that were hardest hit is understandably difficult). The bottom line is that if I was running an NGO that wanted to assist, but didn't have the established relationships in Myanmar, I'd be working to partner with those agencies that already have boots on the ground. It only makes sense. Time is precious at this point, and "blame assignment" is counter-productive. It would seem that efforts are better spent working channels that are already open, rather than getting involved in petty agency turf wars.