Myanmar

I live in a small city with a population of about 25,000 people. I cannot imagine nearly all of the residents of the city being killed in a natural disaster. Yet, that is what Myanmar is dealing with. According to the most recent news reports, at least 22,000 people are known to have perished as a result of last week's cyclone. That number may increase dramatically.

The loss of life is horrific. Equally horrific are the conditions after the cyclone. Things weren't that rosey before the disaster. When I think of Myanmar and Burma, I almost always think of the seemingly regular floods in that part of the world. I just read a report on the web that stated that a primary problem is the lack of clean water. One woman mentioned that she was so pleased that her local market reopened after the disaster. When she went to the market, she had to nearly fight her way in. The market was advertising fresh fish. The woman wondered what good fresh fish is when there is no water in which to cook it.

To say that the situation in Myanmar is devastating is quite an understatement. The situation is incomprehensible to those of us in the United States. When Katrina hit, many entities were immediately dispatched to help. Myanmar is cut off from the majority of the world due to geographic and political issues. The U.S. Navy is positioned to provide assistance, but Myanmar leaders are unwilling to allow a U.S. military presence in their country.

Please keep all of the victims of the Myanmar disaster in your prayers. If you come across an agency that you feel comfortable can provide assistance, send them a few bucks.