A local organization is providing a way for individuals to send money to aid cyclone victims in Myanmar (Burma).
The Associated Press reported Wednesday the government of the Southeast Asian country refused to allow aid to be delivered from U.S. Navy ships and helicopters. The refusal follows a pattern of resistance to international aid the military regime has upheld since Cyclone Nargis devastated the country's Irawaddy Delta region May 2 and 3. Last week the Red Cross estimated the death toll to be between 68,833 and 127,990.InterComm was founded by Ken Anderson Films, Warsaw, in 1991. Lane Anderson, a founding board member and International Director of InterComm, said the organization's primary mission is to equip Christian leaders in countries around the world with media tools. He said InterComm is able to serve as an avenue to respond to the cyclone because of a trusted contact in Myanmar, Burmese pastor Myint Nwe.
Anderson and his wife, Jill, met Nwe on two trips to Yangon, Myanmar, for a project dubbing several Christian films into the Burmese language in 1996 and 1997.
"Myint Nwe is a trusted leader who is well known all over his country and with Burmese people around the world," said Anderson. "We know him as a man of integrity who gets things done and is not personally extravagant in any way."
Anderson said he and his wife have been in constant contact with Nwe ever since their first visit to Myanmar. Anderson said they have personally supported Nwe's work.
After the cyclone, Anderson said he sent Nwe money to help repair some of his extended family's homes which were damaged in the storm.
"He and his family are fine and he is trying to take the remaining funds and help the people any way he can," Anderson said.
Anderson said Nwe will work through a network of pastors throughout the region hardest hit by the cyclone to get resources to the storm victims to help them rebuild.
Anderson said many of the storm's victims lived in wooden or thatch houses in rural areas before the storms. He said many of these people lost everything and need help getting essentials like water, food, clothing and shelter.
InterComm is a registered 501C3 organization. Donations are tax deductible. Anderson said the aid money will be sent to an account in Bangkok, Thailand, because the government in Myanmar deducts 10 percent from electronic transfers into Myanmar. Anderson said sending the money to Bangkok instead helps keep costs down as it is relatively cheap for Nwe to travel by bus to Bangkok to retrieve the money and carry it back into his country.
Anderson said sending funds to Nwe is "an avenue you can trust to safely send your help gifts to those who need it most in Myanmar."
For more detailed information on how to give, call 574-267-5774 and ask for Lane or Jill; or e-mail lanejill@intercommedia.org
