Saturday, May 24, 2008

Burma Cyclone

Timing is critical because the aftermath of Burma's cyclone could kill more than a million people in the next few weeks. The UN estimates that at least 100,000 have already died and 220,000 more are missing. Even before the natural disaster, Burma had the second worst health system in the world and suffered from what UNICEF called, a "silent humanitarian emergency."

Now in the wake of the cyclone, the desperate cries are louder. Those who have survived lost their houses. Without shelter or a viable source of income, survivors are dying slowly from malnutrition, diarrhea, cholera, and other infectious diseases.

Yet in the face of immense suffering, there is hope. The courage and compassion of the Burmese people find strength in the local volunteers who refuse to let the desperate cries for aid grow louder. Expatriate Burmese physicians are flocking home to aid in a quiet relief effort. Local church groups house and feed the refugees who lost their homes in the storm. Senior monks have also joined the cause, gaining access to the hardest hit regions such as Bogale to distribute food, water, and medicine. Even though volunteers do not have much themselves, thousands of people across Burma are donating whatever they can to the victims of the cyclone.

Working through vast community networks, these Burmese groups can reach victims inaccessible to international aid workers. Your donation is crucial to their work. Please visit the following websites to donate to local relief efforts and ensure that 100% of your donation reaches the victims:

1. Better Burmese Health Care (http://www.betterburmesehealthcare) : Eight teams consisting of 20 doctors & 20 non medical volunteers are providing acute medical care as well as surveillance to prevent outbreak of infectious diseases. To date we have treated over 2000 patients. We are also focusing on heavily damaged areas in the Delta region where there has been little or no assistance. We are closely collaborating with our partners both inside and outside Burma. This will allow for distribution of Water Purification tabs and Anti Malaria & Cholera, other essential medications & other basic necessities.

2. Burmese Buddhist Association (http://www.mahasiusa.org/cyclone.html) : Working through a monastic network that extends everywhere in Burma, monks can gather volunteers and distribute food, medical supplies, construction equipment, clothes, water and other necessities to victims of the cyclone.

3. Burma Relief Network (http://burmareliefnetwork.org/) BRN is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care, medical education & training, relief and development programs in Burma/Myanmar. In lieu of large NGOs and organizations, BRN takes advantage of local physicians and nurses through pre-established professional networks to reach those needing immediate medical care. Operating in the delta region outside of Yangon, these local physicians will be sent to different villages in small mobile teams, utilizing their familiarity with the region and tropical medicine to give the most effective medical care and aid.

The greatest obstacle to distributing aid in Burma is the barring of aid workers (both foreign and Burmese) in entering affected regions and the repossession of aid supplies. This will be bypassed by the fact that the program will be using physicians and healthcare personnel already outside of Yangon. Mobile teams also possess familiarity and experience in the country and the delta region; these groups will be able to get in and out of the most-affected villages to treat those who most need medical care. The advantage of familiarity also enables more informed decisions when dealing with medical aid distribution and health care prioritization.

Field/Mobile Teams:

  • Led by experienced local Physicians
  • Equipped with minor surgery, orthopedic supplies, IV fluids and antibiotics
  • Able to see 120 - 150 patients a day
  • Composed of 6-8 members
  • Equipped with all necessities to function in a remote area
  • Managed by experienced physicians and professionals supported by BRN


Please email: brightprism@gmail.com to join our mailing list and receive updates about the relief efforts in Burma. Although individually we cannot help the thousands of orphans and families who lost their livelihoods, we can join our efforts to help rebuild communities in Burma. The scale of the disaster affects millions of lives and requires our long term support.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Fundraiser to help victims of Burma's cyclone

On Saturday, May 10th, 12pm - 4pm
the Harvard Burma Action Movement and YoMa restaurant will be holding a fundraiser to support disaster relief efforts in Burma, following the cyclone that is the biggest natural disaster to happen in Asia since the tsunami. According to the New York Times, the cyclone killed between 3,900 and 15,000 people, and another 30,000 went missing.


“Stories get worse by the hour,” one Yangon resident, who did not want to be identified for fear of government retribution, said in an e-mail message. “No drinking water in many areas, still no power. Houses completely disappeared. Refugees scavenging for food in poorer areas. Roofing, building supplies, tools — all are scarce and prices skyrocketing on everything.” (see: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/world/asia/06myanmar.html)

As one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and ranked 190 out of 191 countries in its ability to provide healthcare (World Health Organization), Burma is especially vulnerable to the devastating effects of the cyclone.

We will be selling Burmese art, professionally designed t-shirts from Heroics clothing company, and handmade crafts to fund relief efforts.

Please go to YoMA restaurant on May 10th:
5 N Beacon St
(between Brighton Ave & Cambridge St)
Allston, MA 02134 (617) 783-1372 Or visit: http://uscampaignforburma.org/ to donate directly.

More pictures of damages in Yangon are below
http://www.dvb.no/english/nargis/May%204,%20Sunday/index.html

Sunday, January 20, 2008

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER A BIG SUCCESS!

Well, we had phenomenal acoustic concert fundraiser on that oh-so-cold December 15th evening. Thank you to Cat Tuttle, Jon Jackson, Chris Jackson, and Katie Fitzgerald for the incredible performances! I think everyone in attendance can agree that we were truly blessed to have amazing performers in our midst! We raised over $1000 during that evening and the days to follow, so thank you to all who donated. We promise to have gingerbread men with red arm bands at the next BAM event for all who enjoyed.


A few HUGE thank you’s are due for all the local companies who donated for that evening. Without the gifts and food we certainly wouldn’t have raised the money we did, and we plain old wouldn’t have had as much fun getting into the holiday spirit; thus, a word from our sponsors: Thank you to Little Tibet at 1174 Mass. Ave in Cambridge for the necklaces; Tibet Arts Gallery (www.tibetartsgallery.com) at 1925 Mass. Ave in Cambridge for the prayer bead bracelets and incense; and Bodhi Tree: Art of Gentle Living at 1684 Mass. Ave (www.bodhitree-combridge.com) for the beautiful Buddha sculpture. We can attest to the fact that these are great Tibetan stores whose owners all have wonderful hearts. Their products are dope, and they’re all in very close proximity to our fine campus. We chose them very selectively. Check them out. Next, thank you to the best Cambridge based cafes: Mariposa Bakery at 424 Mass. Ave for all the Apple Cider; Simon’s Coffee Shop at 1736 Mass. Ave for the coffee, and Darwin’s Ltd. at 148 Mount Auburn St. for the hot chocolate mix (they’re famous for it.) Again, all somewhere in between Central Square, Harvard Square, and Porter Square, all with great vibes, people, and delicious food/drink/music. We chose them equally selectively.


There we have it. We really couldn’t have done it without everyone involved. So support these local businesses and tell them how great the fundraiser was, then tell the artists how much you enjoyed their music when you see them perform again, and then pat yourselves on the back for helping out Aung Za Bu Monastery School as much as you did. Gosh, humans rock.


- BAM