SALESIAN religious in Australia are anxiously awaiting regular first-hand updates of the unfolding human tragedy in Burma (Myanmar) in the wake of Cyclone Nargis as fellow members of the order live through the crisis.
At least two priests and several sisters are among the tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of Burmese missing according to Australian Salesian Brother Michael Lynch.
The situation for the Burmese people has steadily worsened since Cyclone Nargis slammed into the country’s coast on the night of May 2 before hitting the capital Rangoon.
Winds of up to 240kph ripped through the countryside destroying entire villages.
It is the worst cyclone to hit the continent since 1991, when 143,000 people died in neighbouring Bangladesh.
Cyclone Nargis turned parts of Burma’s Irrawaddy Delta into a mass graveyard with estimates that the death toll could reach into the hundreds of thousands.
Br Lynch said on Monday May 14 that a source close to the Salesians had reported that the whole country seemed to be in a state of shock.
“The source reported to me that the disaster had brought all communications on land, river and flights to a stand still,” he said.
“The price of food and fuel has gone up between four and five times.”
“The source also said that, in order to get first hand knowledge of the situation, a Salesian priest and two young men have been sent to the Irrawaddy Delta,” he said.
Archbishop Charles Bo, a Salesian, of Yangon archdiocese was also reported as saying “the Church was arranging to buy and distribute relief supplies using archdiocesan funds”.
Caritas Australia chief executive officer Jack de Groot has called on Burma’s leaders to allow international aid into the country to avert a “human catastrophe”.
Donations to Caritas Australia’s Burma Cyclone Appeal can be made by calling 1800 024 413 or via
The Salesians are appealing for donations to be sent to Salesians Mission Office PO Box 264 Ascot Vale Victoria 3032.
Among other organisations running appeals are Catholic Mission ( www.catholicmission.org.au) and the National Council of Churches.
