Attention News Editors:

cbm Canada sets-up Emergency Fund for persons suffering with disabilities in Myanmar and China

    TORONTO, May 17 /CNW/ - "It's almost impossible to imagine the heartache
and loss experienced by people in Asia over the past few weeks," says Dave
McComiskey, Executive Director, cbm Canada.
    cbm is asking Canadians to help people with disabilities, who are
suffering from these horrible crises. cbm's Emergency Fund allows us to
respond as quickly as possible to natural disasters and humanitarian crises to
help the world's forgotten people struggling to survive disasters.
    "cbm is on the ground, working with local partners, caring for people
suffering with disabilities," says McComiskey. "I was recently in this area
(of China) and saw many people with disabilities living in basic conditions.
To suffer this emergency crisis is a double blow."
    The death toll from China's earthquake could soar to more than 50,000, as
rescuers struggle to help survivors and hope has faded for thousands buried
under rubble.
    Some 20,000 are confirmed dead after the 7.9 magnitude quake on May 12th.
25,000 were buried in areas rescuers have struggled to reach, battling
landslides, buckled roads and collapsed bridges.
    A teenage girl was freed from the rubble of her school at the cost an
amputated leg.
    Meanwhile, the official death toll for Myanmar's (Burma) cyclone disaster
has jumped to almost 78,000 people, with nearly 56,000 missing. However the
Red Cross and United Nations are estimating a death toll above 100,000.
    cbm Emergency Response Manager Valerie Scherrer and her team are on the
ground accessing the situation in Myanmar to help cbm's efforts with partners.

    cbm is the leading international organization whose primary purpose is to
improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. cbm brings hope and
help to 18 million people every year who struggle with injury, preventable
diseases and disabilities in over 1,000 projects in the poorest countries of
the world.
    cbm promises to care for those left with disabilities for as long as it
takes to restore their lives.

    cbm is asking Canadians to help the people of China and Myanmar suffering
with disabilities as a result of these crises by phoning Toll-free:
1-800-567-2264 or (905) 640-6464, online donations at www.cbmcanada.org

For further information: Lindsay O'Connor, National Media/PR Manager,
1-800-567-2264 ext 289, loconnor@cbmcanada.org