Fundraising update – Cyclone Nargis

You may have read about the fantastic fundraising efforts that the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company are carrying out in the Delta in cooperation with Merlin, a UK based aid agency (update on our blog). Two of the Pandaw fleet are now navigating the Delta taking supplies to those in need, as well as acting as floating hospitals. We have donated $2,000 to the fund, knowing that this money will bring immediate relief to the Burmese people affected by this terrible catastrophe. Continue reading »

Photo updates from Burma

Today, we received the following pictures which have been taken by Mr Khin Zaw Nichols, Managing Director of our ground agent in Burma, Tour Mandalay. He and a team from the Yangon office have been in the Syriam area handing over water filters as well as food, medical and building supplies to the local monastery and orphanage.

Monasteries are for many villages in Burma the focal point of a community and from here aid has been distributed to many families and individuals in need. The children of the orphanage have been provided with wholesome meals whilst the villagers have been educated on how to use the water filters donated by an American company. Continue reading »

Burma: Helping with the recovery after Cyclone Nargis

As you will have seen from news reports, the chief problem is overseas aid getting through to people on the ground rather than the aid being available.

Our local agent in Burma (who sent us the photos below) has been working in the Syriam area near Yangon getting food, medical supplies, water filters and building materials through to an orphanage and monastery there. From here, aid has also been distributed to the wider community. Continue reading »

Burma Cyclone Nargis

We are relieved to hear that all our contacts in Burma are safe following the cyclone that struck over the weekend. As you will no doubt have seen there has been considerable loss of life and devastation.

Many clients have contacted us to ask what they can do to help the Burmese people. In the immediate aftermath we would recommend a donation to one of the following charities:

• Red Cross
• Oxfam
• Unicef
• Disasters Emergency Committee

For more information about the challenge facing aid agencies read this article on the BBC website.

We will also be looking at ways that we can help with more long term recovery projects in the country. Given the current regime we want to be sure that any support is directed to the people who need it most. We will keep you informed of developments.