Archbishop: Signs of Hope in Myanmar

Archbishop of Yangon Points to growing Solidarity and Interreligious Cooperation

YANGON, Myanmar (Zenit) - Cyclone-devastated Myanmar is not just the home of utter devastation. It is also the setting for solidarity and hope, affirmed the archbishop of Yangon.

Archbishop Charles Bo acknowledged that three weeks after the May 2-3 cyclone, "the people of Myanmar are still struggling to comes to terms with scale of the disaster."

"For those who survived in the affected Delta and Yangon regions, survival is a day-to-day struggle, with access to clean water, food, shelter and medical attention still limited," he said. "In addition to this, the severe water logging, damage to paddy fields, the loss of tools, seed and animals will have a negative impact on rice production and food security for this vulnerable population."

The relief effort in Myanmar has been severely stinted by the nation's own government, which refused most outside help. After a meeting last weekend between the junta's leaders and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, there is hope the situation might now improve.

In this context, the 59-year-old archbishop affirmed: "The local response in Myanmar has been hugely important in these initial few weeks; however, resources and capacity have been stretched. Therefore, I welcome the recent announcement that the government will allow all aid workers into the country.

"I hope that this announcement is followed through and that international support can build on the local structures and efforts already under way."

Dignity

The archbishop said the situation is Myanmar is not just about despair.

There "is also hope," he affirmed. "The people of Myanmar have joined together in their solidarity for those affected by the cyclone. People and leaders of all religions have been working together to try to reach affected communities and encourage the government to do all they can to help those in need.

"The stories I have heard from the people who faced and survived the full force of the cyclone and continue to live with dignity and hope, pay tribute to the unwavering nature of the human spirit. The humane acts of courage and kindness of those who have volunteered to assist the people in the delta region, and the international support and solidarity received by the Church in Myanmar shows further evidence of the generosity of humankind."

Still, Archbishop Bo reiterated an earlier plea for continued support.

He explained that "there is still a lot to do to relieve the suffering of our people."

"Contrary to what government reports might be saying, the emergency relief phase is not over," the prelate affirmed. "Basic needs of hundreds and thousands of people still need to be met. [...] An important part of the Church response is also to provide psychological and spiritual support to communities affected by these recent traumatic events.

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"Children are particularly vulnerable at this time. Many have lost their parents and need support and protection to help them heal."

Another key of the Church's response has been "our ability to reach communities that other organizations and networks cannot currently reach," Archbishop Bo said. "We are also committed to continue our support and hope to reach a further 40,000 people with relief and also to support communities rebuild their lives and livelihoods over the coming months and years."