06.05.08 - Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga is sending a message of solidarity to Myanmar (Burma) following the devastation caused by Cyclone Nagris.

The storm hit the Irrawaddy Delta region on Saturday morning 3 May and the death toll is now at 22,000 with parts of the country still cut off. The death toll is expected to rise and has now passed the super-cyclone that hit the Indian state of Orissa in 1999 killing almost 10,000.

Caritas Internationalis is coordinating the operations of its 162 members in seeking to respond to the humanitarian disaster.

Cardinal Rodriguez said, "People in Myanmar are facing a terrible humanitarian crisis. The message of our global network to them is that they are not alone. Messages of support have flooded into our offices from around the world.

"The Burmese should know that we are doing everything we can to ensure international aid efforts get through. So far we are receiving very positive messages from the Myanmar government on their need for international help. We hope this will allow non-governmental organisations such as ourselves access into the affected areas.

"Caritas members have expertise in the region in responding to similar humanitarian crises. We know from past emergencies such as the Asia tsunami and Cyclone Sidr that getting fresh water, medical supplies, food and shelter into a disaster zone quickly can prevent a second wave of deaths from disease and exposure. Caritas are ready to use that experience to help survivors in Myanmar as quickly as possible."

Caritas works before, during and after an emergency, supporting people to rebuild their own lives.

For more information, please contact Caritas Internationalis Head of Communications Patrick Nicholson on 0039 06 698 79725 or 0039 334 3590700 or nicholson@caritas.va.