PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Heavy seasonal rains in Myanmar have caused floods and landslides in several parts of the country, affecting more than 330,000 and killing 74 to date. It is the worst disaster the country has seen since Cyclone Nargis took more than 130,000 lives in 2008.
Northwest-based Medical Teams International (MTI), which already had an office in Myanmar, is on the ground and actively raising much-needed funds in order to get the most critical relief to those who need it including food, water, sanitation, medical care and shelter.
“The deadly flooding in Myanmar threatens vulnerable communities with little to no access to health services,” said Joe DiCarlo, MTI’s vice president of programs. “We’re assessing the situation and have someone on the ground working with our partners to provide essential emergency care for those affected by the flooding.”
MTI is collecting donations to support the response effort, which includes helping affected people relocate, distributing water and non-food items and deploying a mobile medical unit. The relief efforts of Medical Teams International are focused in three areas: Rakhine State, Bago Region and Ayeyawady Region. In total, an estimated 7,875 people have been affected in these three areas alone.
Donations to help those affected by the flooding in Myanmar can be made at www.medicalteams.org.
Photos from Myanmar can be found in Dropbox (photo credit Karen Baptist Convention): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/316md3wr6gjywtv/AADhxNfreN10lAGi0XkLssHTa?dl=0.
NOTE: If you would like to interview Joe DiCarlo about the flooding in Myanmar and MTI’s response, please contact Lee Keller - (206) 799.3805, lee@thekellergroup.com.
About the flooding in Myanmar
Augmented by Cyclone Komen, heavy seasonal rains in Myanmar have caused floods and landslides in several parts of the country during the last two weeks of July. On July 31, Myanmar President Thein Sein issued a statement proclaiming four areas (Chin State, Sagaing Region, Magway Region and Rakhine State) natural disaster zones. Twelve out of Myanmar’s 14 states are reporting flood affected populations.
The rooftop-high flooding has killed 74 people and impacted more than 330,000. Access to the affected areas is severely restricted as a result of landslides that have destroyed or damaged vital infrastructure.
Myanmar is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia; the flooding further threatens vulnerable communities with little or no access to health services by impeding access to remote regions. Landslides have wiped out infrastructure, making reaching affected populations even more challenging.
About Medical Teams International:
Medical Teams International (MTI) is a global relief and development organization serving people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty around the world — regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race. We mobilize expert volunteer medical, dental and support professionals, procure and ship donated medicines and supplies worldwide and create health programs with lasting impact. In addition to responding to the most urgent needs around the world, we use innovative technologies and training in the communities we serve. With our partners, we set up long-term development programs to achieve the most sustainable impact so local communities are more self-reliant and prepared for future emergencies. Founded in 1979, MTI is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization that employs more than 500 people and annually engages 2,500 volunteers globally.
