DISASTER RELIEF

Recently, a major Cyclone struck the southern coast of Burma and claimed the lives of over 100,000 people. Then two days later, a major Earthquake (7.9) hit central China and has claimed the lives of over 12,000 people. The average American may find it difficult to hear and imagine such huge losses of life and be able to process this information.

Death toll figures of one million people plus in Burma and 100,000 plus in China are being used by rescue workers on the ground in these two hard hit countries. Right now, over a billion people around the world are trying to help out the people in need in China and Burma. There is more than enough food, medical supplies and financial support to help the survivors of these two massive natural disasters to live.

The big question when it comes to counties like Burma is, will the ruling Junta there allow his people to live or let them die because of the fear of outsiders? The good news is that finally the military government of Burma is letting in much needed supplies for thousands of people that need food and medicine. However, that aid is coming over a week too late for some people that have already died from massive neglect of a military dictatorship that did not do the right thing for its people.

Partners of Hope International immediately received first hand reports of the disasters from our international missionary Scott Fletcher, who works with ministries in Burma and China. We were devastated with the news of these horrific disasters, but even more distraught when we discovered the Burma government was not permitting outside aide.


Of course, the natural disaster issues that are currently facing millions of people in Burma and China are reminding many Americans of our last major natural disaster which was Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. There are many Americans that believed the Bush administration deliberately delayed getting aid, evacuation vehicles and personnel into hard hit New Orleans. Some blamed the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on racism and the Bush administration. We believe the government was simply not prepared and didn't have a workable plan to deal with such a huge natural disaster. POHI sent a team of nurses, medical personnel, and construction workers to Louisiana and Mississippi to help those particularly in the rural areas. POHI provided medical care, food, water, materials for reconstruction and support to local exhausted emergency departments.

We believe that God will use these disasters to open the door of the Gospel to these countries. Partners of Hope International responded immediately committing funds and planning visits to these countries to bring encouragement, support and the love of Jesus Christ.