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A week ago, Cyclone Nargis slammed into the southeast Asian country of Myanmar (AKA Burma). Although the death count stood as low as 350 a few days ago, it is now estimated that 100,000 people have died, and millions more are homeless and at serious risk of disease due to a lack of clean drinking water.
The military junta that runs the country has acted irresponsibly and continues to do so. The government was warned that the cyclone was coming, but did nothing to inform the people. Now, the junta is making it harder for international aid organizations to bring aid into the country and distribute it among the people.
Luckily, there are a couple actions you can take to help the people of Myanmar. You can donate money to the International Burmese Monks Organization. According to Avaaz.org:
In many of the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma's poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government--but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.
If you are unable to give money, you can donate rice to the UN World Food Program while developing your vocabulary through FreeRice.com. Although Free Rice began in October 2007 and will likely be around long after the Myanmar crisis, rest assured that the UN World Food Program is working to send supplies into Myanmar. And since the damage to the Irrawaddy Delta, Myanmar's "Rice Basket", will limit the supply of rice, raising prices when prices are already high, the work of the World Food Program is needed more than ever, not just for Burma but for the world.
Update: Through Amnesty International, you can also email the Burmese ambassador to the U.S., urging his country not to restrict aid or in away way influence its dispersion.
