Commentary: The need is great for relief efforts after disasters in

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), May 16, 2008 by Betsy Nelson

The double blows of destruction by the recent cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in Sichuan Province, China, remind me once again of the fragility of life and the world we build around us.

The losses of life have been huge. Myanmar's state television reported that the death toll from the May 3 cyclone has risen to over 34,000 and this will surely increase as more of the missing are identified as dead. In Sichuan Province, more than 14,800 people have been confirmed dead. That number is expected to increase by thousands or even tens of thousands as rescue workers reach more remote areas. Both disasters have left hundreds of thousands missing, injured, without homes and at risk of starvation and disease.

Thankfully, relief agencies from around the world have sprung into action. Organizations, such as the International Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, whose very mission is to respond to emergency situations for victims of war and natural disasters quickly mobilized.

Just as important, the global community is reaching out to help. Governments, corporations and individuals are responding quickly and generously. But relief is being hampered by geographic isolation, poor weather, damaged infrastructure and, perhaps most challenging, political posturing.

Several strong organizations with on-the-ground presences are providing immediate humanitarian relief, and it is important to support these critical efforts with careful consideration. But it's also important to remember that responding to any crisis requires intermediate and long-range support for victims. Two years from now, these disasters probably won't be a prominent topic of everyday conversation, but for those orphaned by the cyclone, the effects will still be omnipresent.

To support long-term recovery efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, a Disaster Recovery Fund has been established at the request of philanthropists across the country. The fund will support organizations helping communities rebuild the agricultural, health, education, environmental and other infrastructure systems on which they depend. The fund is advised and overseen by disaster-recovery experts and a volunteer board of advisors representing a cross- section of the philanthropic community. Arabella Advisors, through its Arabella Legacy Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, will donate its services to administer the fund.

The Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers has compiled a list of giving opportunities to agencies assisting relief efforts in Myanmar and China. Relief organizations tell us that cash donations are needed most to provide immediate and long-term assistance. Please visit www.abagmd.org to learn more.

Local Relief Organizations

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International

Myanmar/Burma Cyclone, China Earthquake

12501 Old Columbia Pike

Silver Spring, MD 20904

(800) 424-ADRA (2372)

www.adra.org

Arabella Advisors

Disaster Recovery Fund

1816 Jefferson Place, NW

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 533-1817

www.arabellaadvisors.com

Catholic Relief Services

Myanmar/Burma Cyclone

209 W. Fayette St.

Baltimore, MD 21201

(410) 625-2220

www.catholicrelief.org

International Rescue Committee

Myanmar/Burma Cyclone

PO Box 5058

Hagerstown, MD 21741-9874

877-REFUGEE or 733-8433

www.theIRC.org

Lutheran World Relief

Myanmar/Burma Cyclone, China Earthquake

700 Light St.

Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 230-2700

www.lwr.org

World Relief

Myanmar/Burma Cyclone

7 E. Baltimore St.

Baltimore, MD 21202

(443) 451-1900

www.worldrelief.org