The Church extended sympathy and assistance to the people of Myanmar following a recent cyclone that could claim as many as 100,000 lives.

Church leadership approved funds to purchase large quantities of tarps, blankets, basic food, medical equipment and especially clean drinking water for those in need, according to Church Public Affairs.

All items are being purchased in Myanmar or in nearby counties. The Church is partnering with Atlanta-based CARE International, a well-known non-governmental organization, to distribute supplies.

Church humanitarian representatives are continuing to monitor and assess the situation.

More than 1 million people might have been left homeless since Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit the country formerly known as Burma on May 3. Myanmar's state television reported May 5 that 22,000 people have died and more than 40,000 are missing. The Associated Press reported on May 7 that the death toll might reach 100,000.

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Members of the Church wanting to help can do so by donating through LDS Philanthropies, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Floor 2 EW, 15 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150; call 1-800-453-3860, ext: 2-5567; or go to ldsp.org.

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