East Lancashire helps Burmese aid effort

3:11pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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ORGANISATIONS across East Lancashire are rallying to help the aid effort in cyclone-hit Burma.

More than 22,000 people are feared dead and up to 41,000 are missing in the Asian country after Nargis hit the country on Saturday.

Affected communities are without clean water and shelter while aid agencies mobilise their efforts.

Now a Blackburn-based organisation has urged people to put cash towards the mammoth refuge campaign being mounted.

Janaid Qureshi, chief executive of the town's Ethnic Minorities Development Association (EMDA), said: "People are suffering and we should take the initiative to help.

"It is a major disaster and a lot of people have been affected.

"People should feel more generous and we will allow people to donate generously.

"If they want to make a contribution they can send a cheque to us here or collect money and pass it on to the Burmese embassy in London - that way it can go to the people who need it the most."

Donations can be dropped off at the EMDA offices at the St John's Centre, Victoria Street, added Mr Qureshi.

Meanwhile, the British Red Cross is accepting donations to the aid effort.

The charity has two shops in East Lancashire, in James Street, Burnley, and in Burnley Road East, Waterfoot.

Students at Blackburn College are also looking at making a difference to the cyclone-relief effort.

Ann Pilkington, the institution's vice-principal, said the college council would consider ways to help later in the week.

She added: "We have a long tradition of fundraising for tragic disasters and we will be talking to our students this week.

"Students are usually very keen to think of something to do that will make a difference.

"It is good for them to recognise why these things happen and we are likely to do something slightly different to help."

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonweath Office said around 200 British nationals are thought to be currently in Burma.

Foreign Office minister Meg Munn said: "We are deeply concerned by the situation in Burma in the wake of cyclone Nargis and saddened by the terrible loss of life.

"The priority must be to mobilise aid to all those affected to avoid further suffering."

John Taylor, from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said county firefighters had not been placed on standby for the emergency.