Church (Mormon) Aid Sent to Myanmar

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the United Parcel Service, and Atlanta-based CARE International shipped 142,000 pounds of medical and other supplies to Myanmar yesterday, to aid those affected by a recent cyclone.

The Church provided the supplies, UPS provided the transportation and CARE International will oversee distribution in Myanmar. The relief effort was made possible by leaders of CARE International who have established relationships with Myanmar officials. CARE is one of the few agencies the local government has allowed in the country according to Garry Flake, LDS Humanitarian Emergency Response director.

"The shipment includes items such as sterile gloves, stethoscopes, braces, splints, syringes, needles and alcohol pads," said Flake. "Anything found in an emergency room." In addition, 13,000 first-aid kits assembled by missionaries at the Provo, Utah, Missionary Training Center last November were also included in the supplies, as well as hygiene kits, tarps, plastic sheeting and blankets. The Church also provided additional funding more than a week ago for immediate purchases.

Flake praised UPS leaders for their generous donation of the use of an MD-11 cargo jet, fuel, pilots and ground support in transporting the goods to Myanmar. "This kind of commitment on the part of UPS speaks volumes about its leaders and their vision of how we can work together to make the world a better place," said Flake.

UPS will deploy a supply chain expert to Thailand to coordinate with the United Nations' logistics emergency teams already there to ensure that supplies are delivered to those in need. UPS employees will also assist CARE International's operation in Thailand by assembling the supplies into packages that can be distributed directly to families.

"When you are putting together this kind of shipment, you are taking that which is relevant and that which will get to the end of the line," Flake said.

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