Canadian, international relief orgs plan response to Myanmar quake

Michelle Michalak, a spokesman for the Canadian nonprofit World Vision Canada, said the group immediately made a call for immediate fundraising after the earthquake.

Staff who have been established in Yangon, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam “feel the earthquake” according to a statement by Dr. Kyi Minn, the country director of the nonprofit Myanmar branch.

“We are trying to build exactly what’s going on with our employees in the region and as the scale and location of this disaster becomes clearer. Our employees are trained in the disaster response and mobilized to get a clearer understanding of everything needed.”

Toews said a partner relief team had landed in Myanmar to assess Shan State’s needs before heading to Taunggyi in southeastern Mandalay.

“They do say ubiquitous power, so that’s going to get in the way of effort and communication,” he said.

He said most of the losses were limited to centralized Myanmar within government control, which inadvertently made nonprofits more likely to help those affected. “They don’t allow relief organizations to enter areas beyond the government’s control,” he said.

The emergency plan will remain the same as the years, he said. With the help of funds, the emergency team will enter the shelter, blankets, tarps for food packs “depending on the needs of people in the area.”

“I don’t imagine that we will do any reconstruction in these areas because it’s all in government-controlled areas,” he said.

Chiran Livera, head of the Canadian Red Cross, said staff are on standby to support their Myanmar branch, which is currently under rescue efforts. “Their main focus is on search and rescue efforts, providing first aid and transporting to hospitals,” he said. “This is their mission to do this from the government.”

Local chapter staff also provide food, medical and shelter support to affected families, as well as family members who may be missing and/or seeking someone.

Currently, he said about 400 employees are on the ground and others are on standby if more help is needed. The organization also called for donations to help funding. When appealed yesterday, Livra said he was not sure how much has been collected so far.