RICHMOND — Virginia Baptists are prepared to help victims of Myanmar's deadly cyclone but as long as the country's government blocks relief from non-governmental orgnanizations, Virginia Baptists' efforts will be delayed.
Terry Raines, disaster relief coordinator for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, had planned to travel to Myanmar with a team from Hungarian Baptist Aid to determine Virginia Baptists' response. But David Gal, a HBAid staff member in Bangkok, Thailand, told Raines he should wait.
“David reports that the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok is closed for holidays, and apparently a decision was made prior to closing to not allow relief teams, equipment and supplies to enter the country,” said Raines. “He said that there might be a chance that individual relief leaders will be allowed to travel to the capital city to meet with Myanmar nationals to assist with planning.”
Raines said if travel to Yangon, Myanmar's capital, is permitted and if his experience in developing plans to support the relief ministries of nationals can be helpful, he will go at that time.
Raines said the Mission Board has allocated $10,000 to assist the Myanmar Baptist Convention to provide relief to victims. A method of transmitting the funds is still being sought.
“It is not likely we will be able to send teams to help,” said Raines. “The Mission Board will, however, continue our efforts to provide assistance. If Myanmar Baptists need assistance in planning, organizing or developing relief strategy, we will try to help.”
Myanmar counts about 1.1 million Baptists, most located in the southern part of the country where Cyclone Nargis hit the hardest.