International Aid to Send Mobile Medical Unit to Myanmar, Burma

Myanmar, Burma site of colossal devastation after a cyclone hit, faces death tolls in the tens of thousands. National Public Radio reported this morning, May 9 that many of the relief efforts are still being rejected by Myanmar junta in power. Care workers and supplies have been turned away by officials because media personnel and reporters arrived with the relief efforts. Whether Myanmar leaders fear exposure and censure over the lack of preparation for the cyclone or just wish to keep the country from being overrun by foreigners isn't entirely clear, but relief workers will need to be prepared to prove just what they intend to do for Myanmar locals.

International Aid in Spring Lake Michigan is a global relief agency and one of the largest of its kind. International Aid. Many hospitals, medical centers and doctors offices and pharmacies donate medical supplies, equipment to International Aid. The facility itself is over a city block long and several stories high. Computer equipment, wheel chairs, crutches, medical monitoring devices, and all forms of medical devices are collected, repaired and made ready for shipment when needed in crisis. Groceries, clothing, medicines and health products are donated to International Aid. Some products are packaged and sent to countries needing relief, like Myanmar. Some donated items are sold at ten cents on the dollar to relief, missionary and aid workers. International Aid is run almost exclusively on volunteer effort. Tours are given of the facility, but in order to maintain the facility, tours are exchanged for volunteer time. There are many volunteer opportunities.