Support for Women and Families in Myanmar

As is the nature and spirit of the YWCA, many individuals have contacted the YWCA national office seeking ways to contribute to the disaster relief efforts following the devastating cyclone in Myanmar. Each day, reports of the toll of death and displacement rises, increasing the need for assistance of every kind, both immediately and for the long-term.

Immediate Assistance: To provide direct and immediate assistance to the people of Myanmar, we have sought to identify agencies that have been granted authority currently to provide aid within the country. According to our research efforts, there are only a few established international aid organizations currently operating inside Myanmar. The United Nations has several agencies operating in the country: The UN World Food Program has already delivered food to more than 27,000 effected persons and continues their efforts to feed those effected by the cyclone, the United Nations Children’s Fund is leading the water and sanitation relief efforts and the UN Refugee Agency is assisting displaced persons with temporary shelters and basic necessities. The International Red Cross is working to provide immediate and long-term relief though supplies and technical assistance. Medical assistance is being provided by both Direct Relief International and Doctors without Borders. Individuals seeking to support the immediate crisis are urged to make contributions directly through these agencies’ Web sites.

Long-Term Assistance: The YWCA USA is supporting the World YWCA efforts to solicit contributions that will take place in the long-term to assist women and their families through the YWCA Myanmar. Given the reported restrictions by the Myanmar government and military on international aid allowed into the country, it is not likely that the World YWCA will be able to provide support in the near-term. To make a contribution toward long-term assistance, contributions can be made payable to the YWCA USA, designated for Global Initiatives, 1015 18th Street Suite 1100, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 or by clicking here.