DONATIONS for disaster relief can be made via these organizations:
Medecins Sans Frontiers (already distributing emergency aid in affected areas)
Medical Emergency Relief International (already bringing aid to Delta)
Thirst-Aid (water purification is an urgent priority)
Avaaz.org (special fund via Burma's Buddhist monks)
MercyCorps (experienced disaster relief experts with local partners)
Back in January, we held a gathering on Burmese Refugee support. BPF Portland is encouraging the formation of a support team to help a refugee family. Help us form that team. Here are the notes from that gathering.
Many were born in refugee camps, have lived there for 14 years. They need to learn what things are, for example one family thought cheese was a soap. They were confined in refugee camps, unwanted by
He sees three groups coming from
We have to understand that in
There are about 400 Burmese here.
Tara, with
o The largest country in
o Culturally and ecologically diverse
o 8 major ethnic groups
o actually hundreds of distinct cultures
o Government refused to honor elections results in 1988
o In demos earlier this year, around 3,000 people killed
o Government went to monasteries directly
o 1000s of monks are disappearing, the monasteries are empty
o this could be a greater crackdown than 88, but government is doing a better job of hiding it
o The movement is still going on (this was in March)
o Fuel prices went up 500%; this triggered the protests
o Economic mismanagement: government controls, inflates prices; tied to social and political conditions
The
o You need 8-10 people in a support group. Expect 250-300 volunteer hours over the course of 3 to 4 months
o Costs $2500 to $5000 (depending on material donations)
o Provide monetary support 1st month or 2
o The family receives a check, best to hold that in savings for after the 2nd month
o After 60 days they get a stipend
o Provide a prepaid cell phone
o 1st month: many appointments
o Goal: finally self-sufficient by 6 months; diminish monetary support, provide friendship support
o Church World Services: provide loan for tickets here; refugees are to begin paying back at 4 months, and have 4-5 years to pay it back
o IRCO: provides ESL classes, job training, employment agency, free bus tickets…for 5 years
-English tutors also needed: "aid and abet" the ESL teaching
Qualified organizations for Refugee Resettlement
1 comment:
I am looking for contact with any refugees who can speak Akha or are Akha from Burma. Akhalife at gmail.com.
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