This is from a Ham operator:
The tragic situation in Myanmar (Burma) is impacting on us all. This morning we heard that 100,000 have died and possibly many more! We received the attached message direct from the branch yesterday so this will give you first hand information about what has happened and what they are doing. The Branch Committee Coordinator is an Australian friend of mine who used to be in our Bethel. He sent the information. As you say, what a pity we have no hams there. All communication is cut. I have an award for being the only communication between Vanuatu and Australia some years ago when all communication was cut except a brother there and myself. So, have a look at the report below.......
MYANMAR
Thus far we have received no reports of deaths or injuries to any of the local or foreign brothers. The main city of Yangon sustained only moderate damage from the cyclone. However, the city's infrastructure has been decimated. For the city's 7 million people, there is no electricity, many roads are still blocked, and drinking water and food are in short supply. Of the 800 brothers living in the greater Yangon area, we estimate that 30 homes have been completely destroyed and 70 houses have damaged roofs. Only two Kingdom Halls have damaged roofs and the branch's buildings sustained no damage whatsoever.
However, several hundred miles to the west of Yangon is the Ayeyarwady delta region which apparently was hit much harder by the cyclone. The government news agency is saying that tens of thousands of deaths have occurred in this region. We have no way of verifying this statement. Additionally, at this time we have almost no information concerning the 400 brothers and sisters that live in this region. Of course, we are praying that they are all safe. This morning, the branch dispatched two circuit overseers and a Bethelite driver in a vehicle equipped with emergency food, water, and money to inspect all of the 17 congregations in the Ayeyarwady. Due to the state of the roads and the remoteness of the area, we will have to wait four or five days before hearing their report. For your information, no foreign brothers and sisters were known to be in the Ayeyarwady delta region since foreigners are generally prohibited from visiting there.
At the present time, the branch is currently providing all Yangon congregations with safe drinking water and food. We have been able to contact the Governing Body and they are providing direction concerning our relief efforts. A Disaster Relief Committee has been organized in Yangon with teams of local construction workers preparing to repair damaged Kingdom Halls and houses. Unfortunately building materials in Yangon are scarce. We managed to purchase some construction items at a price that was fixed or six times the normal price. However, this afternoon the government abruptly seized all metal roofing sheets and similar items in Yangon and they prohibited anyone from selling them. At around the same time, we were trying arrange the purchase of a truckload of building materials in the city of Mandalay which is 10 hours away by road, but we have had to delay finalizing the deal since it remains to be seen if we can have the materials delivered here in Yangon.
On the other hand, many fine experiences have resulted during the last few days since the cyclone hit. Positive comments were received from many of our neighbors as we extended assistance to them, all resulting in praise to our God Jehovah. Within a few hours of the storm subsiding, more than 30 members of the Bethel family commenced clearing huge trees that blocked the roads nearby the branch. People stood by simply amazed. As the Bethelites continued working, a truckload of 30 soldiers arrived. Three soldiers got out of the truck each with a small hand axe and started clearing some trees. However, the other 27 soldiers simply stood by holding their machine guns. When a journalist observed this, he asked: "Who is this group of people that work so effectively compared with the government soldiers?" After being told, he remarked: "I wish more people showed the true community spirit like Jehovah's Witnesses do!"
We hope the above information has been helpful. We greatly appreciate your prayers on behalf of all of the brothers that are undergoing this emergency. The faith of the Myanmar brothers is strong and we know this week's Watchtower study entitled "Jehovah Hears Our Cries for Help" will help all of us to continue relying on our great God Jehovah.-Psalms 34:15.
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Carolyne