PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Emergency Services
Representative
on way to Myanmar
May 21, 2008 - After being granted a long-awaited visa, Major Mike Caffull, a Salvation Army International Services representative based out of London, England, is en route to help and advise the local teams already responding to the devastating cyclone that hit the country on May 3rd killing over 78,000 people. Within hours of the cyclone’s landfall, local Salvation Army personnel were giving help and support to survivors despite the difficulties in receiving assistance.
“Our people in Myanmar have been working tirelessly since the cyclone hit their country. There are four teams of people distributing aid in and around Yangon (Rangoon) and among the small badly damaged townships surrounding the city. Safe water, food and shelter equipment have their priority as the work continues,” said Commissioner David Bringans, who oversees The Salvation Army’s work in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar.
The widely-reported difficulties to receive visas for aid workers has hampered The Salvation Army’s effort from outside Myanmar, but when Major Caffull arrives he will assess how the organization can further meet immediate needs as well as assist in the long-term recovery efforts. The most pressing task is to assess the extent to which the local teams are able to carry out necessary emergency response work and help them decide what action needs to be taken in the coming days.
Other humanitarian groups are partnering with The Salvation Army. With difficulty getting access to the country continuing to be a problem, they are grateful for the organization’s infrastructure and influence in the country.
“Despite the difficulties being encountered regarding access and supplies, I am hoping my visit to Myanmar will assist the teams already working there and helping the international Salvation Army plan for the next phase of recovery,” said Major Caffull.
Click below to make an online donation. Indicate that you would like your donation to assist the survivors of the Myanmar cyclone.
Checks earmarked “Myanmar Cyclone,” can be sent to
The Salvation Army International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
