SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI (ANS) -- A Convoy of Hope (COH) team is currently managing its Myanmar disaster response effort from Bangkok, Thailand.

Hal Donaldson of Convoy of Hope

COH's Hal Donaldson says: "After clearing initial authority inspections, two truckloads of supplies were sent to in-country partners. Upon arrival, these supplies were distributed to victims of the cyclone."

Six large shipping containers, (approximately 240,000 lbs.) are currently en route to Myanmar. These loads consist of protein-enriched rice casserole (donated by Feed My Starving Children of Minneapolis, Minnesota) and other nonperishable food items and supplies.

"In addition, Convoy of Hope has purchased and shipped 10,000 LifeStraws, a personal water purification device that will provide an individual with up to one year’s supply of safe drinking water," Donaldson said.

He added: "Federal Express has generously donated the transportation of these life-saving devices along with five-gallon buckets, latex gloves, face masks, and more. An additional 5,000 LifeStraws have been ordered and will be supplied to an in country partner for distribution upon their arrival."

Donaldson explained that along with a primary partner, a long-term staging area for the recovery effort is being established in Bangkok for the continued receipt and distribution of food, water, water decontamination tablets, water filtration units, and medical supplies to treat dysentery and diarrhea.

He said: "With knowledge gained through the tsunami and Katrina responses, Convoy of Hope leadership is anticipating the magnitude of the long-term recovery needs. A regional response team has been assigned to Bangkok to oversee ongoing activities and partner relationships for at least the next several months."

Donaldson continued: "In Myanmar, we have implemented a 6-12 month emergency relief and recovery plan that includes shipments of food, water purification units, medicine, seeds, tents, fishing nets, boats and more. A long-term staging area for food and supplies has been established in Bangkok, Thailand."

While continuing to respond in Myanmar, COH is also working with partners on a response to the horrific earthquake in China.

"As the relief efforts there continue, Convoy of Hope has again teamed up with Federal Express to send a charter plane to China filled with latex gloves and N-95 Grade face masks. The items are key to the recovery and cleanup efforts being undertaken by the Chinese people. More shipments are planned. With the mounting death toll and extensive cleanup needs, we are committed to doing everything possible to relieve human suffering."

Since 1994, Convoy of Hope™, a nonprofit organization, has provided resources to organizations and churches to meet physical and spiritual needs for the purpose of making the community a better place. This is accomplished through domestic and international outreaches, supply lines, and disaster response.

For more information visit www.ConvoyofHope.org  

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael's involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of ACT International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (ACT) International.