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On Friday, May 2, Cyclone Nargis hit southwestern Burma with winds exceeding 190 km per hour (118 mph). Media reports show that an estimated 24 million people live in the affected areas, which includes the heavily-populated city of Yangon. Current government reports indicate tens of thousands of deaths with this number expected to rise. A state of emergency has been declared in five regions, and there are reports of significant damage to electricity, telecommunications, water, fuel, vegetation, and small scale infrastructure. Many homes have been damaged or destroyed; several hundred thousand people are believed to be in need of shelter.
Briefing: U.S. Preparations for Relief Efforts for Burma
USAID Partners with American Red Cross to Help the Burmese People
USAID Provides Additional $3 Million in Assistance to the Burmese People in Cyclone Aftermath
Remarks: Mrs. Bush's Statement on Burma
USAID Assists Burmese People in Cyclone Aftermath
USAID Responds to Cyclone Nargis
For information on how to assist by volunteering or donating to the relief and recovery effort:
American Red Cross: Response to the Myanmar Cyclone
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
United Nations World Food Programme
USAID: General Information on Donating to Humanitarian Organizations In Times of Disaster
On May 6, USA Freedom Corps welcomed over 1,300 military spouses to the White House South Lawn for a celebration of the extraordinary volunteer service performed by military spouses every day. Six outstanding volunteers were honored by President Bush with the President’s Volunteer Service Award and attendees were treated to concert by country star Phil Vassar.
Remarks: President Bush Commemorates Military Spouse Day
Presidential Proclamation: Military Spouse Day, 2008
AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible. Events are happening across the country and include statewide AmeriCorps gatherings, award ceremonies, “AmeriCorps for a Day” events with local VIPs, community service projects, recruitment fairs, and more. The week will open with a large event near Denver, and close with a major environmental project and volunteer fair near Miami.
Learn more
Visit www.americorpsweek.gov
Enthusiastic about the growing national momentum for service and civic action, organizers of the National Conference on Volunteering and Service expect more than 4,000 leaders to gather in Atlanta this June 1-3 to unleash a new wave of service and social entrepreneurship to meet social needs. The conference, cosponsored by the Points of Light & Hands On Network and the Corporation for National and Community Service, comes at a key time as national service is embraced in the Presidential campaign and as changing technologies and demographics are reshaping the volunteer landscape.
The conference is the nation’s largest gathering of service and volunteering leaders. Organizers expect strong turnout from businesses, nonprofits and public agencies -- driven by growing interest in citizen service, a packed agenda of forums and workshops, and the attraction of Atlanta as a vibrant host city.
Learn more
Visit www.volunteeringandservice.org
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