Homeless families take shelter in a monastery in Kaw Hmu village following the cyclone. AP Photo

MYANMAR (formerly Burma) - An Operation Blessing disaster relief specialist has gained access into Myanmar and is working with a local translator to assess damage and bring in water purification systems, medical and disaster relief supplies.

After waiting all week, a visa was finally secured yesterday and made possible the trip into capital city Yangon today.

Since in-country, OB's specialist has already contacted a local orphanage that had its roof destroyed. The children are already sick with intestinal problems and the lack of shelter is making things more difficult.

"I will see what I can do for a quick initial project," he said.

Government officials say an estimated 1 million of Myanmar's 51 million people have been made homeless by the storm, which has already claimed the lives of 22,500 people and left 41,000 missing. Non-governmental agencies place the number of dead much higher – around 100,000.

The OBI aid worker is also making his way to the YMCA clinic in Yangon, where three local doctors and two nurses were hired to run a clinic until more help arrived.

Waiting outside of Myanmar, Operation Blessing's German-based medical partner, Humedica has teams still waiting to gain access into the country.

OBI medical teams in Thailand, China, Indonesia, India and the Philippines are on standby to aid in relief efforts if visa can be secured.

"Please pray with us as we move forward with relief efforts," said OBI President Bill Horan.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

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