BALTIMORE, MD - May 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While the international humanitarian community awaits greater access to cyclone affected areas of Myanmar (Burma) and the estimated 1 million displaced citizens, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) continues to work through local partners to respond to this horrific natural disaster.

"Although getting aid into the region has been difficult," said LWR president John Nunes, "it is imperative that we be prepared to increase our response once greater access is granted."

LWR is providing relief to the region through our international partners in the global aid alliance, Action by Churches Together (ACT) International. While some of LWR's ACT partners attempt to gain greater access to the country, others are already on the ground, preparing for the arrival of aid shipments and emergency financial distributions to assist the heavily damaged southern region.

A preliminary response in the coming days will aim to assist at least 10,000 families through water, shelter and cash for work programs. And in the coming weeks, that effort will increase, utilizing LWR's experience from the 2004 tsunami and our partner’s expertise to provide short and medium"“term assistance.

"With the number of people dead and displaced in the region and the enormous potential for disease and starvation, relief workers have very little time to head off this health crisis," says Nunes. "We must assist the people of Myanmar (Burma) as soon as possible."

Official reports indicate that over 60,000 people are dead or missing, with as many as 1 million homeless. These numbers are likely to rise in the coming days and weeks as the full extent of the damage is measured.

Survivors are in dire need of food, clean water, shelter, medicine and other basic items. Your donations will help LWR provide much-needed relief to the families affected by this tragedy.

LWR accepts donations online at lwr.org/giving; by phone at 1-800-597-5972; or by mail at P.O. Box 17061 Baltimore, MD 21298-9832, USA.

WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.

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