YMCA in Burma draws up emergency relief plan

The World Alliance of YMCAs has expressed its profound sadness for the grave disaster that has severely affected the coastal areas of Myanmar and parts of Yangon in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis.

In a letter to the Acting General Secretary of the National Council of YMCAs of Myanmar, the Secretary General of the World Alliance, Dr. Bart Shaha expressed shock over the immense destruction and the loss of so many lives. He shared concern about the fate of those 41’000 still missing.

It is learnt that the National Council of YMCAs’ building in Yangon and some other YMCA projects, especially in the Irrawaddy Delta area have been badly affected.

The World Alliance also expressed its condolences to the relatives and friends of those who passed away, as well as its deepest sympathies to the victims of this disaster.

Upon receiving the Plan for administering relief to the victims of the disaster from the Myanmar YMCA, the World Alliance will make an emergency appeal to the international family of YMCAs. The World Alliance is in close contact with the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs in this regard.

International The YMCA is a very active worldwide movement. The Scottish movement itself has a long history as an active supporter of and contributor to the international activities of the YMCA. The Scottish National General Secretary sits on the Board of Y Care International, the UK YMCA's international development agency. Current International Commitments

4    As early as 1881 J. McPhail a delegate from Scotland at a world conference made an appeal for the creation of YMCAs on all five continents and 1897 saw the first YMCA Scotland missionary appointed in India. 

4    Partnership with Belarus
YMCA Scotland has established a national partnership agreement with the YMCA of Belarus following a needs assessment conducted in 2001. Belarus was selected as one of the most needy European countries in terms of the development needs of children and young people and the capacity-building needs of the YMCA. As a leading member of the European Alliance of YMCAs (EAY) field group supporting the developing YMCA in Belarus YMCA Scotland is heavily involved in developing sustainable programme provision in response to identified need.

A new local YMCA partnership will be established in 2005 between the YMCA in Cumbernauld and the YMCA in Brest.

4    European Social Inclusion
YMCA Scotland's Youth Work Manager currently chairs the European Programme Group on Social Inclusion bringing together youth workers from several European countries to examine and share best practice on this key issue. Scotland's leadership of this group in 2005 reflects the expertise and experience of the national movement in this field.

4     International Partners
Many of the 37 YMCAs across Scotland operate and enjoy active partnerships with local YMCAs from all parts of the world. In addition to many in western countries and the US the YMCA movement also provides many opportunities for development education and support through a partnership with a developing country.

4    The international development agency of the YMCA in the UK, Y Care International ia a major channel of emergency aid and development support to third world and developing countries. Using the existing global network of YMCAs Y Care International distributes funds raised in the UK directly to those in most need without incurring the set-up costs of other charities. Distributing aid through existing local YMCAs also aids the long term nature of our support as YMCA will still be there long after all the other organisations have gone.

4     Y Care International raised nearly £4 million through the Tsunami appeal this year and is currently heavily involved in aid programmes especially in countries such as Sri Lanka and India. Glasgow YMCA has agreed to offer close partnership support and help to Port Blair YMCA following a direct request from the Indian YMCA movement. As the capital of the Andaman Islands this town is one of the hardest places to reach and one which has been badly hit by the disaster.

Please click here to view the World Alliance of YMCAs Website.

The World Alliance of YMCAs Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland this is a confederation of national YMCA movements. It was established in 1855, at the first International Conference of YMCAs held in Paris and as such is the oldest international voluntary organisation in the world today. At the first international conference of the YMCAs there were representatives from 38 YMCAs mainly from countries in Europe and North America.

Today, the World Alliance represents YMCAs in 122 countries of the world and is continuing to expand. It has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. YMCA Scotland is a full member of the World Alliance of YMCAs. Information regarding the World Alliance and its activities can be accessed via its web site by clicking on the symbol.

In 2005 Scottish YMCA staff and volunteers are key members of World Alliance working groups including the new electronic knowledge groups and the planning group for the celebrations of the 150th Anniversary to be held in Paris in March and in India in August. Scottish YMCAs will be represented at the forthcoming Paris events by a delegation led by Aberdeen YMCA.

Please click here to view the World Alliance of YMCAs Website.

European Alliance of YMCAs

The European Alliance of YMCAs (EAY) is the regional organisation of all YMCAs in Europe and presently involves some 2 million mostly young people in 39 National Movements all over Europe. During the first week of August 2003 the European YMCA movement hosted a youth festival in Letna Park, Prague.  Over 7,500 young people including 150 from Scotland came together to share best practice, meet new friends and build new international links.  Young people came from as far afield as Armenia and Russia and hundreds of events and workshops created a unique experience for all concerned. The next European youth festival will be held in 2008.

Please click here to view the European Alliance of YMCAs website.

Date Last Modified: 8th May 2008

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