May 9, 2008

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. — Survivors of Cyclone Nargis will not wait another day for United Nations or government food aid, as the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (www.crwrc.org) provides 10,000 families with emergency food, shelter, medical care and water purification kits beginning today through July 31, 2008.

"We always work with local Christian partners," says Jacob Kramer, CRWRC International Relief Director. "This is how we avoid the snags of country-to-country, and country-to-agency aid relationships that can hold up or stop aid from getting to those who need it."

CRWRC is one of handful of North American non-governmental agencies (NGOs) with trusted, local partners in Burma/Myanmar that are removed from the politics of bilateral and multi-lateral aid. CRWRC has purchased emergency supplies and food locally through its partner for distribution today in the Delta region of Burma/Myanmar.

A release issued today by the United Nations urged first-world NGOs to temporarily cease sending money to Burma/Myanmar. The release was prompted by a World Food Program shipment reportedly confiscated by the government of Myanmar.

CRWRC has a history of quick response in countries affected by disaster, a result of local partnerships often fostered through CRWRC' ongoing community development work. CRWRC provided emergency supplies to 2005 Tsunami survivors one day after the wave hit Indonesia.

Members of the press can schedule an interview with Jacob Kramer, CRWRC International Relief Director, please contact Stephanie Tombari at 1-800-730-3490, x. 224 or 905-616-3095.

For more information about these programs, please visit http://www.crwrc.org/ or call 1-800-55-CRWRC.

CRWRC is a Christian, non-profit organization of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. With a bi-national home office base in Burlington, Ontario and Grand Rapids, MI, CRWRC ministers to people in need around the world in development, relief, and justice education. CRWRC is active in more than 30 countries and has an international reputation for "helping people help themselves.'‘

Christian Reformed Church in North America