Contact: Kathryn Stenger FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (206) 289-7946 (office) May 23, 2008 (206) 755-6086 (cell) kstenger@crista.net www.worldconcern.org

World Concern Reports Positive Changes in Myanmar

SEATTLE - Relief and development organization World Concern is reporting this week that more aid opportunities are becoming available in Myanmar. Visas for two additional World Concern expatriate staff received approval this week, and its national staff are now able to access most cyclone-affected areas. As resources flow into the country, World Concern is reaching more families in remote areas.

"It's critical that experienced relief professionals join the work in-country," said World Concern President Dave Eller. "The capacities of our locally-based partners are reaching their limits. As we get more relief professionals in, we'll be able to expand our efforts to assist more people in need.

Currently, most of World Concern's response is being coordinated through in-country partners and is focused in the Ayeyarwaddy and Yangon divisions. World Concern has been purchasing all relief supplies within Myanmar, but also plans to distribute relief and medical supplies from outside the country as more shipments begin to get through.

To date, World Concern has awarded 18 grants to 15 national partners who have provided disaster assistance to more than 60,000 people. The grants range in size from $1,000 to $15,000. Collecting data from affected areas continues to be extremely challenging, but systems are being developed this week that will help World Concern to more effectively assess needs and monitor aid distributions.

World Concern has been working in Myanmar since 1995. With more than 200 staff in the country, the organization is taking a lead role in providing emergency relief assistance and developing long-term recovery plans with 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 Myanmar, World Concern is part of a coalition of international aid organizations called the Global Relief Alliance (GRA). Together, they are also providing relief in Sudan and Chad.

For updated information, including how people can help, please go to www.worldconcern.org.

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