For anyone who’s wanted to help victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma, but has been reluctant to donate because of reports that the country’s military leaders are not allowing aid into the country or confiscating it and distributing it as their own: there’s a way to provide aid that will go directly to those in need. Here’s a link to a Reuters story describing the work being done in the affected areas by the Sitagu Asia Royal Emergency Clinic for Cyclone Victims. A brief excerpt:
The monk in question, the Venerable Nyanissara, is a Buddhist patriarch who is as close to being “untouchable” as it is possible to be a country run by a ruthless military junta.
. . .
Nyanissara’s elevated status means soldiers at checkpoints on roads into the delta dare not interfere with his supplies. Just the words of his mission — “Sitagu Missionary Association” — on the side of a truck are enough to allow it safe passage.“Bringing things by car here is very difficult now because the authorities ask us to hand them over,” Ko Myo, the Yangon businessmen, said.
“But these are magic words,” he said, pointing to “Sitagu” painted on the side of a van. “Nobody has laid a finger on it so far.”
Here’s another article about the regular work this organization does. You can donate online directly here.
Update 05/31: There’s an article in today’s New York Times on the same subject. (Note: the Ven. Nyanissara referred to above and Sitagu Sayadaw, interviewed in the Times, are the same person. Nyanissara is his monastic name; Sayadaw is the title of respect given to senior Burmese monks. Prominent monks are sometimes known by the name of their home monasteries. He’s the abbot of Sitagu Monastery, hence “the Sitagu Sayadaw.” )
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