May 5, 2008 (Santa Barbara, CA) In response to the cyclone that struck Mynamar over the weekend, Direct Relief International has offered assistance to regional humanitarian assistance groups.

The storm is reported to have caused tremendous damage and resulted in the tragic loss of more than 10,000 lives.

Direct Relief has contacted partners in Thailand and other neighboring countries, some of whom also run programs in Myanmar, to offer assistance to medical relief efforts for people affected by the storm.

The Myanmar government has yet to issue a formal request for international assistance - historically, the country rarely invites outside groups to provide assistance, even in emergencies.

Direct Relief has engaged in large-scale relief efforts in the region and is actively engaged in the recovery efforts response to the region's last major cyclone, Cyclone Sidr, which hit Bangladesh November 15, 2007, and resulted in 3,447 deaths and displaced 650,000 people.

About Direct Relief International
Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. Direct Relief is one of two charities ranked by Forbes that has received a perfect fundraising efficiency score for five consecutive years and is ranked by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as California's largest international nonprofit organization based on private support. For more information, please visit http://www.DirectRelief.org.

###