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What

Project Needs and Beneficiaries

More than a week after tropical Cyclone Nargis struck, the Burmese government finally allowed relief workers into the country, but continued to limit people's access to humanitarian aid. While international aid agencies are hampered, local women's organizations prepare for the long, hard work of post-disaster relief after large agencies have left.

Activities

MADRE is working with the Women Human Rights Defenders Network and three Burmese women's organizations to reunite families, rebuild shelter, and provide trauma counseling to children.

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $5,091
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $24,909
Total Funding Goal: $30,000

Additional Documentation

Resources

Why

Potential Long Term Impact

Post-disaster relief rarely addresses the unique needs faced by women and children. These organizations will be in Myanmar long after the disaster disappears from headlines, ensuring lasting relief that makes a real difference in the lives of many.

Project Message

Funds will be more vitally needed during the medium term: for rebuilding livelihoods, psychosocial care, etc. Donate to cover needs when the rest of the world has moved on to other issues.
- Mary Jane Real, Coordinator, Women Human Rights Defenders Network

Who

Where

Country

This project is located in Myanmar and can also be found under Women and Girls.

For more information about Myanmar, read the Human Development Report on Myanmar or the Wikipedia entry for Myanmar.

When

Last Updated

This project was last updated on June 05, 2008.

Date Added to GlobalGiving

This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on May 13, 2008.

Latest Update from the Field

On the ground in Burma

By Vivian Stromberg - Executive Director, June 05, 2008 04:59 PM

More than a month after Cyclone Nargis, Burma’s ruling military junta (the SPDC) has allowed only a few international aid agencies to distribute relief items to survivors. Moreover, because the SPDC is confiscating and selling humanitarian supplies, it is estimated that only 25% of international aid is actually reaching those who need it the most.

While the operations of most large aid agencies are still grounded at the borders, the networks of Burmese women supported by MADRE have been mobilized since day one of the crisis, offering relief on a person-to-person basis.

MADRE is partnering with the Women’s League of Burma, the Shan Women Action Network, and the Migrants Assistance Programme. Our partners tell us of a ruined harvest, skyrocketing food prices, forced evacuations of public sanctuaries, bodies in the streets, and hordes of traumatized children roaming unaccompanied from village to village.

The women know that orphans are easy prey for human traffickers. One of MADRE’s primary objectives, therefore, is sheltering these children until safe and legitimate adoption systems can be established.

Women working with MADRE found an orphaned toddler several days after the cyclone in a remote village along the Burmese-Thai border. He was all alone, hungry and traumatized; the women didn’t even know his name. But thanks to them, he is now being cared for and loved. Thanks to them, this child will not become a statistic. Today, he is being nursed back to health as MADRE’s partners work day and night to locate his family.

With your support, we can protect many more children in similar situations. Please continue to give to MADRE in support of women and families in cyclone-ravaged Burma.

Read 1 more "Updates from the Field"

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