news & events

As news of the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis continues to pour out of Burma, MRDF has launched an appeal, with the Methodist Church, for funds to provide relief supplies to the hundreds of thousands left homeless.

With over 60,000 people feared dead and thousands missing, getting clean water and food to the survivors is essential in halting the onset of diseases like malaria, cholera and dysentery which thrive in areas of contaminated water and poor sanitation.

Little boy looking at cyclone damage.

Photo: ACT International

Menka Jha, MRDF’s Programme Officer for Asia, said: “The cyclone is the biggest natural disaster in Burma’s recorded history and is on almost the same scale as the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004. It is important for us to come to the aid of the Burmese people.”

Fierce winds, rain and storm surges have completely flattened some areas - between 80 – 95% of houses in the slum areas and villages around the capital, Yangon, have been razed to the ground. To compound the situation, power supplies have been disconnected and the price of food, fuel and building supplies has gone up, by 300% in some cases.

MRDF is appealing for funds for Burma that will be channelled through a local organisation, which is working in the most affected areas.

To donate to MRDF’s appeal for Burma by debit or credit card, call 020 7224 4814.

Or you can donate by cheque, payable to “MRDF (Burma emergency)”, and posted to MRDF, Methodist Church House,
25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR.

Taxpayers are encouraged to gift aid their donations where possible, adding a value of 28p to every pound they give, at no extra personal cost.

If you would like to pray for those affected by Cyclone Nargis,
a special prayer can be found online here.

Read the joint Methodist Church/MRDF Press release.

Thank you.