Volunteer stays to help cyclone victims (From Watford Observer)

Volunteer stays to help cyclone victims

7:10pm Saturday 31st May 2008 in News

A Watford aid worker has extended his stay in Burma after a "difficult week" spent setting up camps in areas devastated by Cyclone Nargis.

Mark Castellino, programmes director for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency flew to the South East Asian country on May 10.

He has since been part of a team spending around 18 hours a day delivering rice to camps, and helping to provide shelter for people left homeless or displaced.

Cancelling a planned holiday he has chosen to stay in the region to help its residents.

He said: "The staff really feels the need to help the people there, and every day they travel back to Piensalu, helping to clean, distribute food, and transport people back to Labutta, and Myaungmya."

Much of his time has been spent fundraising and organising the charity's work on his computer and at meetings. He said: "It takes a lot of time to plan for the basic needs of thousands of people. It also takes a lot of money. The international community has responded well though."

To donate to the charity, or find out more about its work, visit adra.org.uk Cheques for the Myanmar Cyclone Appeal can be sent to ADRA-UK, Stanborough Park, Watford, Herts, WD25 9JZ.

They should be made payable to "ADRA-UK".

To gift aid donations, include a signed note stating "please Gift Aid this donation".