Buddhist Monks Establish Aid Network

May 19, 2008

Author: Brett Popplewell

Source: The Star

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/427293

As Burma's military junta continues to prevent international aid that would help the estimated 1.5 million people affected by Cyclone Nargis, an international network of Burmese monks has come up with an alternative solution for would-be donors and relief workers.

With the military rulers doing little to help the starving, homeless and injured survivors of the cyclone that ravaged the Burmese coast on May 2-3, Burma's ever-present Buddhist monks – the same monks who last fall revolted against their militant rulers – are coming down from their monasteries and aiding those most in need.

"They are bringing shelter, foods, water and basic supplies for survival," said Zaw Kyaw, the Burmese-born Toronto-based head of the Burma Buddhist Association of Ontario.

Kyaw said the monks inside Burma, also known as Myanmar, are relying on an international network of Burmese Buddhists in order to fund the purchase of supplies for those in need.

"It's very difficult to get aid there," he said. "It's an insane situation but the people who are doing the most to look after the survivors are the monks."

Kyaw's group is just one of many associations around the world collecting funds that are sent directly to Burmese monasteries.

The Burma Buddhist Association of Ontario has already raised $65,000 from sympathetic Canadians.