Rainbow Responds to Burma Disaster

remember the Rainbow Family's remarkarble work after Katrina?

They are going to Burma,

check out website (and you can donate) here:
www.americanrainbowrapidresponse.org


Date: May 12, 2008 7:50 PM
Subject: Burma Response Situation Report
Body: Dear Friends,


Here is a brief on our current relief efforts for the Burmese people.


Amnesty International

We conducted a Conference call with the director of Amnesty internationals "Free Burma Project" .

They said they had great appreciation for our efforts both at home and for the Burmese people, and for our interest we should not tell the Myanmar government we had talked. We went on to discuss the ongoing situation in side Myanmar and relief work.


Received a few good contacts on the ground , one being refugee international for possible colaboration.


Supplies are making it into Yangon, so at least they are getting in. Just not out of the city.


They went on to comment on the efforts of Dr. Ron Patterson and Christian Disaster Response, our partners in this effort. And held both his Organization , and the Buddhist group also partnered in the mission, to be in high regard. Serving both for the Tsunami in Indonesia and Rwanda.


Most aid and relief workers have been getting in thru Thailand, and if found inside Burma would most likely be deported.



Any Local non-military that are found assisting outside aid workers are being executed as well as their family members.


Burma has the largest Child Army in the world, and to be careful of the children.


Organic Valley

Organic Valley is conducting an assessment for a shipment of Organic Milk Powder.


Christian Disaster Response

We are still in negotiation with the Myanmar Government. We will initially be going in as instructors. To teach the Myanmar to cook for themselves in a disaster.


They are limiting entry at this time, we will send in teams of trainers.


To teach the SERVESAFE program.


ARRR is working to set a large group Training for our volunteers ,in Asheville, NC if need be.


Hold off on getting a visa.


We will be getting them as a group.


Medical groups are still being denied access.


He assured me that this a normal complication for international relief work. Which may seem a bit familiar to those of you who were around in the early days of Waveland.


Travel

We will be routing people into Bangkok, Thailand. Flights may be available via China . Start checking rates on the Internet, and will most likely leave from New York City.


We will be traveling as a group , both to Thailand , and entering Myanmar.


Plan B.


We will cross the border in teams of 2-3, and regroup in Myanmar.


This is the worst possible working environment, and will need to be totally self sufficient, Have the full run of inoculations or International Health Card. They have a Sat Phone.


Have a go bag with them at all times with enough provisions to survive for 48hrs.


We will be teaching the SERVESAFE program. And how to run a Disaster Feeding Operation.


Water purification

Water Purification is in desperate need, people are drinking the flood water. Should be a Large Particle filter, Small Particle filter, Reverse Osmosis Filter and ending with a Ultra Violet Filter.


Ham Operators
.

They have put out an appeal for Ham radio operators.


The Conscious Alliance still has 7 semi-trucks of food ready for delivery. Donated by Whole Foods.


We are putting out an appeal for Volunteer with SERVESAFE or H.A.C.C.P. certification, or restaurant workers who may be available to be trained.

Please send your reply to R.

proxy @hotmail. com



Thank you everyone !

Aaron Funk

www.americanrainbowrapidresponse.org

1-800-335-9941

Carrying enough in to be able to support yourself and to help is no easy task. This seems the biggest difference between post Katrina and Burma. You can't drive out to resupply then drive back in. Good luck to any helping.