MEMORANDUM

TO: Mayor and Council

FROM: Shayne Mintz, Deputy Fire Chief, Emergency Management

Coordinator

DATE: May 15, 2008

SUBJECT: Disaster Relief, Myanmar (Burma)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information back to council as requested on opportunities to provide Disaster Relief to Myanmar (Burma).

BACKGROUND:

At its meeting on May 13, 2008 Council approved the donation of $7,500 towards disaster relief to China in wake of the devastating Earthquake that occurred on May 12, 2008. Further to that motion staff was requested to investigate and report back to the General Committee meeting scheduled for May 26, 2008 on possible opportunities to provide assistance to the Burma disaster relief effort.

On May 2, 2008, Cyclone Nargis made land fall in the southern delta region of Myanmar and left a trail of destruction in its wake. High winds, heavy rain and flood water have destroyed the homes and livelihoods of upwards of 2 million people and have resulted in approximately 20,000 deaths.

The opportunity to provide aid internationally has been hampered somewhat by the political structure of the country. It is therefore recommended that any charitable donations in relief to the disaster should be made through a reputable international agency that has systems and people in place to ensure the best use of funds and appropriate delivery of assistance.

There are many foundations and organizations established to provide aid to countries and regions of the world in response to natural or man made disasters. Three reputable agencies are World Vision, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (through the Canadian Red Cross) and Doctor’s without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières - MSF). All have staff and programs established to take donations in response to the disaster created by Cyclone Nargis on March 2, 2008.

With the approval of Council staff can arrange donations to any or all of the suggested charitable foundations or any of Council’s choosing.

SUBMITTED BY: ________________________

Shayne Mintz, CEMC