New updates from Myanmar and emergency response from CADIS Thailand and CTF India

According to the latest ECHO bulletin (European Commission Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations), the death toll continues to rise in Myanmar after the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Sagaing on March 28. In Myanmar, the AHA Center reports that, as of April 14, there have been 3,655 victims, 129 people are missing, and 4,824 have been injured. Nearly 200,000 people are currently displaced and 41,733 have found shelter in 145 temporary facilities. (cf. ReliefWeb)
 

CADIS International, in collaboration with CADIS Thailand, CTF India, and Mission Calcutta, has responded to the crisis by organizing a rapid response team to assist the survivors of the earthquake that struck Myanmar.

The biggest obstacle is still reaching the affected areas. Furthermore, according to government protocols, volunteers and foreign organizations have not yet received the green light to enter the country. However, the Catholic Church is facilitating the process so that aid can arrive easily and be facilitated.

According to the latest updates from Fr. Rocco Sriprasert, MI, director of CADIS Thailand and Caritas Thailand, who is in contact with Caritas Myanmar, and Fr. Siby Khaitaran MI, national coordinator of CTF India, two (2) future interventions are being planned: relief distribution (CADIS Thailand) and a medical mission (CTF India). 

CADIS and Caritas Thailand are preparing for the distribution of relief as soon as the Myanmar government gives the green light.  Caritas Myanmar has been able to send the first relief goods (food and non-food) to the most affected areas. The goods were sent through the Diocese of Taungoo.  Direct contacts are underway with the Embassy of Myanmar in Thailand to facilitate the transport of relief goods to the most affected areas. We hope for a positive response.  
 

CTF India: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), the Bishops' Conference of Myanmar, and St. John's Medical College, together with the support of CTF India, are organizing a possible joint intervention.  CTF India will conduct a more in-depth needs assessment once on site, in preparation for a more systematic and programmatic engagement with the earthquake survivors. 

According to UNICEF, more than 857,000 people have been assessed in both urban and rural areas and their urgent needs include cash assistance, emergency shelters, food, drinking water and water sources for domestic use, healthcare, and sanitation services. Forty-four percent of the people assessed have not yet received any form of assistance. There has been widespread destruction of water systems, including broken wells and damaged pipe networks, as well as the collapse of over 76,000 latrines. Communities are increasingly concerned about the risk of infectious diseases due to improper management of corpses and lack of access to safe water and sanitation services.

A group of mild to moderate acute watery diarrhea (AWD) cases has been reported in the city of Sagaing and urban areas of Mandalay, although so far no cases of cholera have been confirmed. (April 16, cf. ReliefWeb)

 Photo credit: courtesy of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

The need is great and we ask for your support to organize aid for the earthquake survivors. Support the CADIS International Emergency Fund:

Recipient: CAMILLIAN DISASTER SERVICE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
Reason: Myanmar Earthquake
 

CC: INTESA SANPAOLO s.p.a.
IBAN: IT19G0306909606100000144767
BIC/SWIFT Code: BCITITMMXXX    
or
CC: Banca Popolare di Sondrio
IBAN: IT03 M056 9603 2350 0000 3570 X95
BIC/SWIFT Code: POSOIT22

You can also support us through Paypal at the following link: 
https://www.cadisinternational.org/come-puoi-aiutarci-dona-ora