If you are going to donate to (((((TYPHOON)))) Victims.........

[Bennyboy]

Make sure you do it right. We have to make damn sure that any money donated by the American people doesn't go to fund more military agression and see that Democracy is restored in Burma. Then maybe we can try it over here too.... Give directly to the Monks or the Monasteries.

Help the People NOT THE GOVERNMENT OF BURMA/MYNNAMER.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/77.php

moveon.org is sending this around too....

Dear friends,

Burma has been devastated by a cyclone—and by the military junta's failure to help its people cope. Help raise relief funds for distribution by Burma's monks:

CLICK TO DONATE!

In the wake of a massive cyclone, tens of thousands of Burmese are dead. More than 40,000 are missing. A million are homeless.

But what's happening in Burma is not just a natural disaster—it's also a catastrophe of bad leadership.

Burma's brutal and corrupt military junta failed to warn the people, failed to evacuate any areas, and suppressed freedom of communication so that Burmese people didn't know the storm was coming when the rest of the world did. Now the government is failing to respond to the disaster and obstructing international aid organizations.

Humanitarian relief is urgently needed, but Burma's government could easily delay, divert or misuse any aid. Today the International Burmese Monks Organization, including many leaders of the democracy protests last fall, launched a new effort to provide relief through Burma's powerful grass roots network of monasteries—the most trusted institutions in the country and currently the only source of housing and support in many devastated communities. Click below to help the Burmese people with a donation and see a video appeal to Avaaz from a leader of the monks:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/77.php

Giving to the monks is a smart, fast way to get aid directly to Burma's people. Governments and international aid organizations are important, but face challenges—they may not be allowed into Burma, or they may be forced to provide aid according to the junta's rules. And most will have to spend large amounts of money just setting up operations in the country. The monks are already on the front lines of the aid effort—housing, feeding, and supporting the victims of the cyclone since the day it struck. The International Burmese Monks Organization will send money directly to each monastery through their own networks, bypassing regime controls.

Last year, more than 800,000 of us around the world stood with the Burmese people as they rose up against the military dictatorship. The government lost no time then in dispatching its armies to ruthlessly crush the nonviolent democracy movement—but now, as tens of thousands die, the junta's response is slow and threatens to divert precious aid into the corrupt regime's pockets.

The monks are unlikely to receive aid from governments or large humanitarian organizations, but they have a stronger presence and trust among the Burmese people than both. If we all chip in a little bit, we can help them to make a big difference.

Click here to donate:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/77.php

With hope,

Ricken, Ben, Graziela, Paul, Iain, Veronique, Pascal, Galit and the whole Avaaz team

PS: Here are some links to more information:

For more information about Avaaz's work to support the Burmese people, click here: http://www.avaaz.org/en/burma_report_back/

For more information about the cyclone, the humanitarian crisis, and the political dimension, see these articles:

New York Times: "A Challenge Getting Relief to Myanmar's Remote Areas." 7 May 2008.

BBC: "Will Burma's leaders let aid in?" 6 May 2008.

India's Economic Times: Indian meteorological department advised junta 48 hours in advance, 6 May 2008.

BBC: "Disaster tests Burma's junta." 5 May 2008

Times Online: "Aid workers fear Burma cyclone deaths will top 50,000." 6 May 2008.

_________


ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.

[Mojorabbit]

1. Thank you for this. n/t

[puebloknot]

2. K&R Good Information for donating

[eridani]

3. Very good. I was just going to post this

I think that United Church of Christ is also trustworthy

https://secure.ga3.org/03/myanmar_cyclone_response

Today, in the wake of unfathomable natural disaster in Myanmar (Burma), the United Church of Christ just issued a $100,000 emergency appeal to aid victims and to prepare for long-term recovery.

Already, 22,464 people are confirmed dead, 41,054 people are missing, and as many as 1 million are homeless after last weekend's catastrophic cyclone flattened villages, destroyed buildings and ruined food supplies.

James Vijayakumar, our area executive for Southern Asia and Susan Sanders UCC One Great Hour of Sharing Administrator, have spoken with the Myanmar Council of Churches, Church World Service and ACT International partners to pledge the UCC's full support for coordinated relief and recovery efforts. Will you give generously?

In the storm's aftermath, prices for food, fuel and building supplies have escalated as much as 300 percent, and communication abilities throughout the region have been compromised.

The UCC's Myanmar Cyclone Fund, a special OGHS disaster appeal with a goal of $100,000, is now receiving contributions. However, in coming days, this initial appeal may be expanded to reflect longer-term recovery efforts needed by the Myanmar Council of Churches and its members.

Our earnest prayers and generous contributions are needed now to assist the people of Myanmar. Can we count on you?


The Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte
Executive Minister, UCC Wider Church Ministries
Co-Executive, UCC/Disciples' Global Ministries

Keep up to date on our response: www.ucc.org/disaster

[Locrian]

4. donated - thanks

Thanks for this link - just donated. They have a paypal link - makes it easy.

[Lex]

5. We donated early on to Doctors Without Borders.

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/article.cfm?id=2662

[Bennyboy]

6. Kick...I tseems this might be the only way to get aid.....

This story is just getting more and more horrible by the minute.....

[eridani]

7. AFSC also has a donation program

https://secure2.convio.net/afsc/site/Donation2?idb=639089613&df_id=1040&1040.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr007=81n4x77qd2.app14a

The American Friends Service Committee is now accepting donations for immediate relief assistance and long-term recovery work in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

Donate now >

For the last three years, we've been quietly working with Burmese community groups to help the people in this ostracized country. After this catastrophic disaster, our work has shifted. Working with the same trusted local partners, we're committed to providing emergency assistance to help the Burmese people make it through this crisis.

With communications down throughout the affected region, it's difficult to get accurate information about the scale of the devastation and opportunities to help. We've only recently been able to connect with our partners, and we do not want to say anything that would endanger them or their valuable work. But I promise that we will continue to respond to the real needs of the Burmese people and help the country recover over the coming years. I will get you more information about our work as soon as we have it.

You'll be hearing more from me in the coming days about our Myanmar response. In the meantime, please donate now and join me in holding all those affected by the cyclone in your thoughts and prayers.

[bpeale]

8. first, you should donate to Katrina victims before wandering off to donate in other countries