U.S. Government Makes Support to Burma Easier

May 7, 2008 — The United States Office of Foreign Assets and Control ("OFAC") of the Treasury Department has relaxed its Burmese Sanctions Regulations and has issued a General License to nongovernmental organizations to participate in nonprofit humanitarian or religious activities in Burma, also known as Myanmar. Until yesterday, nearly all organizations needed specific licenses from OFAC in order to provide financial support to Myanmar/Burma.

With the death toll of Friday's cyclone now approaching 22,500 and with another 41,000 missing, United States aid organizations and intermediaries are coordinating efforts to get supplies and aid workers to the devastated region.¹

The Gift Fund has been in contact with several organizations that are currently participating in the relief effort in Myanmar/Burma:

World Vision International: This organization is already distributing clothing, temporary shelter, food, and drinking water.

United States Fund for UNICEF: This organization is focusing on water and hygiene in its relief efforts.

U.S. intermediary charity, Give2Asia, has established a Disaster Recovery Fund that will work with organizations in Asia on programs that assist in recovery efforts for communities affected by this natural disaster. Efforts supported by this fund include emergency health services, disaster response, orphan care and reconstruction.

Please note that some charitable organizations assisting in Myanmar/Burma are currently facing hurdles, as the Burmese government, in some cases, is reportedly restricting the distribution of aid in the affected region.

Before recommending grants to charitable organizations involved in cyclone relief efforts in Myanmar/Burma, please consider reaching out to the potential recipient charity to assess any unique challenges it might be facing.

Requirements for Other Non-Profit Organizations

The Gift Fund requires that organizations collecting for the Burma relief effort certify that they are in compliance with OFAC General License 14, dated May 6, 2008. Please review the License (PDF) and then call the Gift Fund at 1-800-952-4438 so that we may obtain certification of your organization’s compliance.

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