In Memoriam
May 12, 2008

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of five dedicated Pact staff and an estimated 12,000 participants in our microfinance program in the Irrawaddy Delta of Myanmar. They are some of the many who lost their lives when Cyclone Nargis struck on May 2-3, 2008.

Daw Thida Pyone (age 25), Daw Aye Thandar Oo (27), U Pyae Phyo Kyaw (24), and U Thant Zaw Oo (30) served as loan officers in a program that provides services to some 1800 villages and over 133,000 households in this poor agricultural region. U Htay Lwin (35) was a program boat driver who ferried Pact staff from village to village. Their belief in helping each other and themselves to overcome poverty was reflected in their deep commitment to the program and the people they served.

This most recent tragedy underscores the obstacles that the people of Myanmar have faced and brings into stark relief the even greater challenges that they will need to overcome in the coming days, weeks, and months. Our thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes go out to the families and friends of our staff members, the clients of our programs, and to all the victims of the cyclone.