OCA Donates $20,000 for Myanmar and China disasters to IOCC

The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) has donated $20,000 of designated charity appeal funds to help further the response of IOCC to the devastating cyclone and earthquake that recently struck Myanmar and China.

In Myanmar, according to published news reports, at least 78,000 people were killed and another 56,000 are still missing as a result of tropical cyclone Nargis. Millions of survivors are at risk from disease, starvation and exposure to monsoon rains. While in China, over 55,000 are reported dead, nearly 25,000 still missing and over 5 million people are homeless, according to government sources, in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the Sichuan province on May 12.

'Our thoughts and prayers at this time go out particularly to the people of Myanmar and China who were recently affected by natural disasters in their countries,' His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the OCA wrote in a letter to IOCC announcing the donation, 'We hope that our contribution will help in some small way to alleviate some of the suffering caused by these devastating events.'

'We are grateful to His Beatitude and the faithful of the OCA for this Christian outpouring of love and compassion for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar and China who continue to suffer the devastating effects of the tropical cyclone and earthquake,' stated Constantine Triantafilou, Executive Director of IOCC. 'This gift helps us respond in a timely and effective manner through our ecumenical partners who are on the ground in these areas.'

IOCC's initial response has been through its ecumenical partner Action by Churches Together (ACT), International, a global alliances of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.

Contributions to IOCC's Myanmar and China Emergency Appeals can be made online (www.iocc.org), by calling IOCC's donation hotline toll-free at 1-877-803-4622, or by mailing a check or money order payable to 'IOCC' (include 'Myanmar Cyclone' or 'China Earthquake' in memo line) to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

Media: Contact Ms. Amal Morcos at 410-243-9820 or (cell) 443-823-3489.

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