Area agency works to get food to Myanmar

By Susan Pugh

Published: May 16, 2008

With the number of people in Myanmar in desperate need of food and water estimated at 1.5 to 2.5 million, Gleaning for the World hopes to get some rice into the country ASAP.

“All we need is funding to get rice to the people,” said the Rev. Ronald T. Davidson, founder of the Concord-based relief agency.

Gleaning — working through a coalition of Christian nonprofits — has lined up shipping containers of rice in neighboring Thailand.

Scott Hendrix, humanitarian aid director of coalition member Global Aid Network, said the coalition has sent some supplies in already and has not been stopped by the Myanmar government, which has been largely unreceptive to most efforts to assist.

Davidson said the containers could be purchased for $10,000 to $12,000 each and transported by truck over the border. Within 48 hours, the food could reach some of the survivors of a massive cyclone that swamped the Irrawaddy Delta and Yangon two weeks ago.

By Friday, the Myanmar government’s official death toll had climbed to 78,000, according to The Associated Press. But the Red Cross says the toll might actually be as high as 128,000, the news agency reported.

Gleaning has already shipped out survival kits and has made a commitment to get $1 million worth of medical supplies into Myanmar, Davidson said.

But there are more pressing concerns. Cyclone survivors are in danger, and the U.N. estimates 1.5 to 2.5 million need food, water, shelter and medical care urgently, according to the Associated Press.

“The first phase is getting food and water to the people,” said Hendrix.

The cyclone left country’s port under four feet of water, Davidson said, so supplies have to come in via other means. Hence, the effort to buy containers of rice from Thailand, one of the world’s largest producers.

Hendrix said he had heard the Myanmar government decided it would allow air freight shipments, which would open another avenue to relief organizations.

Gleaning has raised about $3,000 so far for the effort, Davidson said.

“We’re going to be contacting churches, community groups and individuals to do anything possible to get the funding in,” he said.

Gleaning also stands ready to help in China where an earthquake hit.

“You’ve got different steps in recovery,” Davidson said. “The first step is rescue; that’s the step they’re in now.”

And the help needed for rescue is getting there.

“If you want to see things done right, look at China. The Chinese government is welcoming help,” he said.

“The other (Myanmar), you’ve got a government that doesn’t care. I’d be willing to baptize ’em.”

With China’s efforts proceeding, Gleaning is focusing on Myanmar where the worst is likely not over. News reports this week suggest the country’s autumn rice harvest could be in jeopardy.

“It’s getting bigger and bigger. This could be the worst disaster we’ve ever seen,” he said.

“I don’t care what religion they are; they’re all God’s children,” Davidson said. “We’re going to do anything we can to help them.”