Hollywood artists to give $500,000 to assist children affected by Cyclone Nargis

An organisation founded by stars such as George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt, will donate to the Myanmar (Burma) relief fund, and match donations to Save the Children

Wednesday 14 May 2008

Not On Our Watch, a non-profit organisation - founded by actors Don Cheadle; George Clooney; Matt Damon; Brad Pitt; producer Jerry Weintraub; and human rights lawyer David Pressman - has awarded Save the Children $250,000 to provide for the critical needs of children and families affected by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma). Not On Our Watch will further provide a match contribution of up to $250,000 for every dollar donated to Save the Children's Cyclone Nargis emergency relief work from 13 May 2008 to 13 May 2009.

Since the devastating cyclone hit the south west coastal region of Myanmar (Burma) on 3 May, officials estimate over 30,000 have died and more than a million children and families have been displaced from their homes.

Adrian Lovett, Director of Campaigns at Save the Children UK said: "Save the Children is very grateful for this donation, which will help us meet children's survival needs in Myanmar, and assist them in their recovery from this devastating event. Save the Children is working on the ground in Myanmar and has already reached over 100,000 people since the cyclone struck. This money will help us continue to reach as many people as possible."

"We are proud to support the Myanmar relief and recovery efforts of Save the Children," said Alex Wagner, executive director of Not On Our Watch. "Save the Children has proven itself as a strong partner for Not On Our Watch, delivering aid and life-saving relief to millions of children and families affected by humanitarian crises around the globe."

The support from Not On Our Watch will allow Save the Children to expand the scale of its relief and recovery efforts in Myanmar through the distribution of food, water and essential non-food items.  Additionally, funds contributed will help support Save the Children's efforts to restore the education system in Myanmar and help children return to school when it is normally scheduled to resume in early June.

In the past week, Save the Children has provided lifesaving supplies of food, clean water and shelter materials to 100,000 people, including around 40,000 children under 12 years old, in twelve Yangon townships and the Irrawaddy delta region. Supplies have included rice, water, oral-rehydration solution to treat diarrhoea, blankets and materials for cooking and shelter.   

Save the Children currently operates programmes in all five of the districts severely affected by Cyclone Nargis and has worked in Myanmar since 1995.  As one of the largest non-governmental organisations at work in Myanmar, the agency's 500 staff - almost all local nationals - implement programmes focused on early childhood care and development, child health and survival, and child protection. 

Save the Children worldwide is seeking $10 million (£5 million) in donations for its emergency response and recovery efforts in Myanmar.  As of Monday, the organisation had raised more than $3 million dollars in donations and pledges from individuals, corporations and foundations for its Cyclone Nargis response. 

The donation to the Cyclone Nargis relief effort marks the second time in a year that Not On Our Watch has contributed to Save the Children programmes. The organisation's first grant of $1 million is helping to provide health and psychosocial support programmes to tens of thousands of women and children affected by war and crisis in West Darfur, Sudan and eastern Chad.

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