In the many years we've been working with the poorest families of Myanmar we've never witnessed so much death and destruction.

HOPE staff in Myanmar survived the killer cyclone and they've been able to give us a sense of just how terrible the situation is right now.

In one area, the killer cyclone tore through at least 8 major townships, killing all but 5 per cent of their entire populations.

Country-wide, the situation is just as bleak...

• 22,000 people are dead and the death toll continues to rise
• 1,000,000 people are homeless
• Essentials like drinking water, food, shelter, and medicine are in short supply or non-existent
• People have begun scavenging for food and have resorted to drinking water from wherever they can find it, including ditches, ponds, and pools
• There are fears that outbreaks of killer diseases like cholera and dysentery are imminent
• Farm fields have been completely destroyed along with the next harvest
• In some areas, rice paddies are littered with bodies of men, women and children killed during the storm

These are extraordinary times for the people of Myanmar and we feel deeply compelled to ask that you respond by giving extraordinarily today, right now.

Death, destruction and suffering are all that the people of Myanmar know right now. They need to know that we care and that we will do whatever it takes to help them stay alive in the coming days and weeks.

A gift of $45 will provide an EMERGENCY CARE PACKAGE for one family. But given the tremendous need, we're asking that you help more than one family if you can.

Could you help two families? we're hoping and praying that you can and will.

Our years of experience in Myanmar and our relationship with the poorest families in the country is enabling us to respond immediately and effectively.

Your gift of $45, $90 or more if you can will provide EMERGENCY CARE PACKAGES that will keep families alive in the coming days and weeks. The care packages you provide will include essentials like emergency food rations, water purification tablets, blankets, clothing, and temporary shelter materials.

Please search your heart and give the best gift you can today because your gift is the best and only chance these families have of surviving in the coming days and weeks.

God bless you for being extraordinary in your compassion and giving today.

David S. McKenzie,
Executive Director