SEATTLE - World Concern, working through in-country partners, distributed 80 tons of rice over the weekend in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady Delta, a region that has been difficult for aid organizations to access since massive flooding from Cyclone Nargis wiped out villages and roads. World Concern is also distributing aid in the Mon and Yangon districts, while continuing to send assessment teams into areas as they reopen.

World Concern's Myanmar Country Director said today, "Our staff completed (assessment) trips with several local organizations over the weekend. They reported some very disturbing accounts. The cyclone has had devastating psychosocial effects on families." Tomorrow, World Concern will attend coordination meetings in Myanmar with the United Nations and other aid organizations working within the country.

World Concern is focusing all of its current relief efforts on providing food, clean water, shelter, medical treatment and relief supplies. Aid organizations are racing to get critically needed supplies to families, as forecasted heavy rains may further hinder transportation. On a positive note, the rains will bring fresh water, which may bring relief to families in remote areas.

World Concern, a Shoreline-based relief and development organization, has been working in Myanmar since 1995. The organization is taking a lead role in providing emergency relief assistance through established in-country and international non-governmental partners.

Regionally and worldwide, World Concern has directed emergency response and rehabilitation programming for more than 20 years in areas such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Kenya and Chad, as well as post-tsunami programming in Sri Lanka and South Thailand. In Myanmar, World Concern is working closely with in-country partners and other international aid organizations including Food For The Hungry, MAP International, World Relief, CRWRC and Medical Teams International.

Visit www.worldconcern.org for the latest relief effort information or to make a donation.