CIDI Urges Americans to Make Appropriate Donations to Help Victims of the Myanmar Cyclone

    ARLINGTON, Va., May 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for
 International Disaster Information (CIDI) is encouraging Americans who wish
 to help the recent Myanmar cyclone victims to donate cash, as an
 alternative to in-kind donations such as clothing and canned goods, in
 order to provide the most optimal assistance. It is widely recognized that
 cash donations are the most efficient and effective means of response, a
 policy supported by CIDI's funding partner, the United States Agency for
 International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and
 those in the established international disaster response community.
 
 
 
     "We've all seen the heartbreaking images of past international
 disasters, such as the Tsunami, where massive amounts of clothing and
 canned goods collected in piles, left virtually untouched," says Suzanne
 Brooks, Director of CIDI. "CIDI's mission is to reduce the amount of
 inappropriate material donations sent to victims and to facilitate efforts
 by professional humanitarian relief agencies. The best way for Americans to
 help is to donate cash to an established relief agency so that they can
 provide the quickest onsite assistance."
 
 
 
     Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar last Saturday, devastating large parts of
 the country. Already, some 1.5 million people have been severely affected
 by the storm. The death toll, which officials predict will reach almost
 100,000, is increasing by the minute as workers struggle to reach remote
 settlements, while the nationwide number of displaced people could reach
 millions.
 
 
 
     Individuals and organizations interested in making contributions to
 help the victims of the Myanmar cyclone can get more information by
 visiting CIDI's website at www.cidi.org. Additionally, interested donors
 can visit www.interaction.org to obtain a list of credible responding
 agencies for international emergencies and www.give.org to get valuable
 information on making informed decisions when supporting charities. In
 addition, donors can visit www.globalgiving.org. GlobalGiving allows donors
 to fund specific programs that address a range of immediate to long-term
 needs.
 
 
 
     About CIDI
 
     CIDI is based in Arlington, Virginia, and was created in 1988. The
 Center is funded by the United States Agency for International
 Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. CIDI provides
 individuals, groups, embassies and corporations with information and
 guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief efforts.
 The organization works with a variety of partners to channel the public's
 energy and desire to help to achieve maximum impact. By reaching out to the
 American public and the private sector, CIDI helps to promote activities
 and donations that will do the most good for disaster victims around the
 world. For more information about CIDI and helping international victims,
 please visit http://www.cidi.org.
 
 
 
     Media Contact:
 
     Salma Bahramy
 
     Hill & Knowlton
 
     202-944-1901
 
     salma.bahramy@hillandknowlton.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SOURCE Center for International Disaster Information