Compassion fatigue. Two words that express a reality many of us know only too well. When news breaks of disaster in a country far away, our initial response might be one of deep concern for the victims. Or it could be a response of disconnect. With an overwhelming amount of news, graphic tragedy, and international disaster, what responsibility do we have to care for troubles that are not our own?

In the wake of two recent tragedies -- the Myanmar cyclone and the earthquake in China -- we're looking for a Christian answer to apathy.

Today we examine recovery. We'll visit with a family who lost everything in the South Asian Tsunami four years ago to learn their perspective on disaster relief. How do they view compassion fatigue when their own survival depended on global donations to their need? World Vision and Samaritan's Purse give us their latest news from on the ground work in Myanmar.

THE CONTEXT

When Cyclone Nargis slammed into Myanmar it did more than topple homes and businesses. It shattered 2.4 million lives, and created what relief workers called "a spiraling crisis." With much of the country's infrastructure destroyed - hundreds of thousands of people struggled to survive. Their needs intensified in the face of the disease and emotional trauma and their own government restrictions.

Myanmar's ruling generals would not open the borders for help. While the military government allowed Aid supplies, they denied the much needed help from foreign relief teams who wanted to distribute it. The United Nations objected and world leaders charged it was tantamount to crimes against humanity.

Less than two weeks later, disaster strikes again - this time in China's Sichuan province. A 7-point-9 magnitude earthquake strikes on a Monday afternoon, as adults are going about their daily work and children are in class. Tens of thousands of young people are killed, when their schools simply crumble on top of them. Entire towns lie decimated.

An intense, brick-by-brick search for survivors begins. China rallies in a unified, emotional response to its suffering.

HELPING MYANMAR

World Vision Canada
www.worldvision.ca

World Vision has assessment teams on the ground and wants to raise $3 million from Canadians. The organization is already assisting more than 100,000 people in Rangoon and the Irrawaddy Delta region by providing rice, water, and critical supplies including sarongs, T-shirts, mosquito nets, tarpaulins and blankets.

Samaritan's Purse Canada
www.samaritanspurse.ca

SP is working with indigenous partners in Burma to assess and provide aid to those affected. The Calgary-based organization has been working in Burma for nearly a decade, providing safe drinking water, medical training and children's ministries. You can also donate by calling 1-800-663-6500.

Salvation Army Canada
www.salvationarmy.ca

To date more than US$500,000 has been received by the Salvation Army. This will be used for reconstruction as The Salvation Army internationally hopes to assist people to rebuild houses and help them re-establish their lives and generate income for themselves.
The Salvation Army began its work in Myanmar (then Burma) in 1915 and now includes over 40 ministry units, children’s homes, shared farms, pig loan programs, 60 well projects to deliver clean water, education and tuition programs as well as several health clinics.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
www.mcc.org

MCC is working with trusted partner organizations within the country who are responding to the tragic aftermath of cyclone Nargis. Water, medical treatment, food and emergency supplies are immediate priorities for MCC and MCC partner organizations in Myanmar. MCC will also support longer-term recovery efforts .

THE GUESTS

DAVE TOYCEN
President of World Vision Canada
Author, The Power of Generosity
www.worldvision.ca

There are few organizations that know more about responding to disaster - or about compassion fatigue - than World Vision. The international Christian Humanitarian agency has 600 staff in Myanmar, and they've been operating in that country - also known as Burma - since 1961.

LAURENT TRABADELLO
Project Manager with Samaritan’s Purse
www.samaritanspurse.ca

Laurent Trabadello is a Project Manager with Samaritan's Purse overseeing work in Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis, a crisis in which the country closed its borders to relief workers. But four Canadians with Samaritan's Purse managed to avoid that shut out arriving just as the cyclone hit.

Excerpt from Samaritan’s Purse Team Leader, Bruce Piercey, in Myanmar.

“ I can say without any doubt that our efforts have saved scores of lives and provided hope and comfort to thousands of those suffering. The tireless efforts of our brothers and sisters in Myanmar to reach out and help others is amazing to watch.”

“We need to communicate to the church around the world what an amazingly courageous job the Myanmar church is doing despite all the barriers reported in the media. This is an amazing God story and we must tell it. I really want to boast about what Jesus is doing here. It is thrilling. One of our team was telling about a young woman who was helping to cut string for use with our water purification kit, and told her story, 2 of her aunts and 2 cousins were killed and a 3rd cousin has had a leg amputated. And she was there to cut string because she just wants to help. Truly the love of Christ can transform nations and can redeem the suffering and loss by revealing His love for them as His people step up to be his hands of mercy in the midst of a horrific tragedy. We must do our part to honour their courage.”

MIE THA LAH
Youth Worker at the Toronto Karen (Burmese) Community

SAW SAY MOO
President of the Toronto Karen (Burmese) Community

DHAMMIKA LIYANAGE
A 2004 Tsunami Survivor

How does the arrival of foreign aid affect a family who loses everything? The Liyanage family experienced that in the 2004 tsunami. We heard their perspective on the difference donations from strangers half way around the world make to those in crisis.