BORDERS MP BACKS BURMA CYCLONE APPEAL

10.58.47am GMT Sat 24th May 2008

Borders MP and Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary, Michael Moore, has given his backing to the Disasters Emergency Committee Burma Cyclone appeal, and has repeated their call for local people to 'dig deep' to help those who are struggling to survive.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than one and a half million people have been left homeless after the devastation of Cyclone Nargis. Communities are now in desperate need of basic shelter, as well as access to clean water and first aid.

Mr Moore believes that local people could make a real difference and help save lives by making a donation to the Burma Cyclone appeal. He said:

"The situation in Burma is extremely serious and the people there urgently need our help. Many refugees have no shelter from the heavy rain that is continuing to devastate the community. In the town of Laputta, for example, there are 10,000 people without basic shelter, food or clean water.

"This is the biggest cyclone to hit Burma since 1926 and the scale of the disaster is huge. That is why I have given my support to the appeal and I urge local people to do likewise. If we all dig deep to back the appeal we can get aid to those who need it."

Gerry McLaughlin, Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee in Scotland, which brings together leading aid agencies including Concern Worldwide, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Islamic Relief, said:

"Every single donation can make a difference. We are extremely concerned about the outbreak of disease due to torrential rain. By donating to the Myanmar Cyclone Appeal Scots can help save lives."

Donations can be made by phone on 0870 6060 900; online at www.dec.org.uk, or by post to DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal, PO Box 232, Melksham SN12 6WF.

A £25 donation would buy mosquito nets for ten people to protect them from malaria in the aftermath of the cyclone;

A £50 donation would pay for clean water and water purification tablets for one family for three months;

A £100 donation would provide household kits for ten families, giving them basic items for survival.