Save the Children: Hollywood artists to give $500,000 to assist children affected by cyclone Nargis

WESTPORT, Conn. (May 13, 2008) – Not On Our Watch, a non-profit organization founded by actors Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, producer Jerry Weintraub and human rights lawyer David Pressman, has awarded Save the Children $250,000 to provide for the critical needs of children and families affected by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma). Not On Our Watch will further provide a match contribution of up to $250,000 for every dollar donated to Save the Children’s Cyclone Nargis emergency relief work during the period of May 13, 2008 through May 13, 2009.

Since the devastating cyclone hit the south west coastal region of Myanmar (Burma) on May 3, officials estimate over 30,000 have died and more than 1 million children and families have been displaced from their homes.

Adrian Lovett, Director of Campaigns at Save the Children UK said: “Save the Children is very grateful for this donation, which will help us meet children’s survival needs in Myanmar, and assist them in their recovery from this devastating event. Save the Children are working on the ground in Myanmar and have already reached over 100,000 people since the cyclone struck. This money will help us continue to reach as many people as possible.”

“We are proud to support the Myanmar relief and recovery efforts of Save the Children,” said Alex Wagner, executive director of Not On Our Watch. “Save the Children has proven itself as a strong partner for Not On Our Watch, delivering aid and life-saving relief to millions of children and families affected by humanitarian crises around the globe.”

The support from Not On Our Watch will allow Save the Children to expand the scale of its relief and recovery efforts in Myanmar through the distribution of food, water and essential non-food items. Additionally, funds contributed will help support Save the Children’s efforts to restore the education system in Myanmar and help children return to school when it is normally scheduled to resume in early June.

In the past week, Save the Children has provided lifesaving supplies of food, clean water and shelter materials to 100,000 people, including about 40,000 children under age 12 in twelve Yangon townships and the Irrawaddy delta region. Supplies have included rice, water, oral-rehydration solution to treat diarrhea, blankets and materials for cooking and shelter.

Save the Children currently operates programs in all five of the districts severely affected by Cyclone Nargis and has worked in Myanmar since 1995. As one of the largest non-governmental organizations at work in Myanmar, the agency’s 500 staff — almost all local nationals — implement programs focused on early childhood care and development, child health and survival and child protection.

Save the Children worldwide is seeking $10 million (£5 million) in donations for its emergency response and recovery efforts in Myanmar. As of Monday, the organization had raised more than $3 million dollars in donations and pledges from individuals, corporations and foundations for its Cyclone Nargis response.

The donation to the Cyclone Nargis relief effort marks the second time in a year that Not On Our Watch has contributed to Save the Children programs. The organization’s first grant of $1 million is helping provide health and psychosocial support programs to tens of thousands of women and children affected by war and crisis in West Darfur, Sudan and eastern Chad.


Notes to Editors:

Save the Children worldwide is hoping to raise £5 million. In the UK Save the Children is part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – to make an urgent donation its Myanmar (Burma) cyclone appeal, donate online at www.dec.org.uk or call +44 870 60 60 900

To contact Save the Children in the UK call Susannah Parker in the Save the Children Press Office on 0207 012 6848 or email s.parker@savethechildren.org.uk

Save the Children is the world’s independent children’s charity. We’re outraged that millions of children are still denied proper healthcare, food, education and protection. We’re working flat out to get every child their rights and we’re determined to make further, faster changes. How many? How fast? It’s up to you. For further information about our work please visit www.savethechildren.org.uk

Not on Our Watch (www.notonourwatchproject.org) seeks to focus global attention and resources to stop mass atrocities around the world. The non-profit organization, headed by George Clooney, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Jerry Weintraub and David Pressman, draws on the powerful voices of artists, activists and cultural leaders to generate life-saving assistance and protection for the vulnerable, marginalized and displaced.