CW Asia Fund flies Canadian products into southern Myanmar

TORONTO, ON, May 30, 2008 CW Asia Fund is on the leading-edge of Myanmar relief efforts with Canadian product donations delivered right into the ravaged region where help is needed most.  CW Asia Fund delivered over 8,000 protein bars plus bottles of Vitamin C, donated by Jamieson Laboratories, plus other donated food products and medicines into Myanmar to provide assistance to malnourished children and adults.

When the CW Asia Fund contacted us, we agreed immediately to provide assistance, �said Rob Ricci, Vice President of Marketing, Jamieson Laboratories. The CW Asia Fund is uniquely able to provide assistance directly where it is most needed right in to Mynamar's worst hit areas.  We encourage Canadian food and health companies to contact the CW Asia Fund to see how they can also provide support.�

The CW Asia Fund has set a goal to raise $1 million (CDN) to support Myanmar emergency relief efforts. To date they have already raised over $610,000 with additional funds arriving daily through an online charitable giving sites in the UK and Canada.
(www.justgiving.com/burmarelief and www.givemeaning.com/project/cyclonenargis)

Companies can reach the CW Asia Fund directly by contacting cwasiafund@strandco.com or 604-687-1919, local 519. More information about this project and the CW Asia Fund can be found at www.cwasiafund.org. 

About Jamieson Laboratories
Established in 1922, Jamieson Laboratories is Canada's largest manufacturer and distributor of advanced natural health care products. Jamieson's state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing laboratories are located in Windsor, Ontario. The company is a world leader in the vitamin and nutrition industry, exporting to over 45 countries including the United States, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore. For more information, please visit the Jamieson Laboratories website at www.jamiesonvitamins.com or call 1-800-265-5088.

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For further information please contact:
Stephanie Blok
Jamieson Laboratories
416-960-0052
sblok@jamiesonlabs.com

"As the recent apocalyptic Myanmar (Burma) hurricane unfolded before our eyes on hundreds of millions of screens, the world watched with impotence. The numbers of those killed in the swath were staggering: over 100,000 (the real number may never be known); over 1.5 million people homeless, without food, shelter, water or medicine. Living in our relative security, try to imagine what it must be like trying to survive such conditions even for a week!

Fortunately, we've joined up with Nina & John Cassils, and their very worthy and credible non-profit Myanmar Relief effort. John and Nina have been heroes on this side of the world, selflessly working 20 hour days raising awareness and funds, and making sure that all relief gets to the people in the worst affected areas. Nature's Path is having the honour of contributing several pallet loads of energy bars that will make a difference between life and death for many families. I heartily urge all who can help with food, medicine, water purification equipment and funds, to support legitimate Myanmar Relief, where every day, every hour counts."

Arran & Ratana Stephens
Nature's Path Foods Inc.
Thursday, May 15, 2008 6:15 AM

Press Release
Yangon, 13 May 2008 - Yoma Strategic Holdings Limited, SPA Myanmar and First Myanmar Investment Company ( private non government related businesses) have taken over responsibility for Cyclone Nargis relief support for two of the hardest hit areas in the Irrawaddy Delta, Ngaputaw Township and Hainggyi Island on the tip of the Delta on Pagoda Point at Cape Negrais.

Initially, as a group, we envisage supporting 20,000 people in these two Delta towns - Cyclone Nargis passed directly through Hainggyi Island, and past just below Ngapudaw. Our initial assessment team returned to Yangon last night from the Delta to report to us on the situation on the ground, and we have established our Relief Command Centre in Yangon at the Grand Meeyahta Suite Apartment 309 to coordinate the main relief effort.

Our office in Pathein, capital of the Irrawaddy Division, is our local base, and we are arranging to move to Pathein the Pandaw II ship, which has been donated to our effort for use as a hospital ship. Now in Yangon Port for refit, we plan to have the Pandaw II (tourist passenger vessel) brought downriver to Pathein by tug. Fully crewed by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, a medical team from the Pun Hlaing International Hospital (private hospital) is being put together to operate from the Pandaw II once it is moored quayside in Pathein

A team from SPA Motors is already coordinating support using their network of dealers in the Irrawaddy Division Delta Region, and the director returned last night after visiting relief centers in Pathein. Five centers, each sheltering 1,500 displaced persons have been set up in High Schools. The immediate requirement is the relief of severe dehydration for these people, most of whom reached the Pathein centers alone and psychologically disoriented after losing their families. Last night our SPA Motors staff distributed to the centers Ks. 6.5 million of instant noodles, and today has procured stocks of dehydration pills in Yangon to send down.
Issued on behalf of Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd by:
Cogent Communications Pte Ltd
Tel: (65) 6323 1060 Fax: (65) 6222 1210
Ms Celine Ooi, DID: (65) 6323 1193 or Email: celine@cogentcomms.com
Mr Roger Poh, DID: (65) 6323 3178 or Email: roger@cogentcomms.com

Locals Raise Disaster Relief Funds for Myanmar Survivors CW ASIA FUND sets sights on $1Million for cyclone victims and seeks Canadian Government matching funds Vancouver, BC, May 22, 2008 – As Myanmar continues a three day mourning period, CW Asia Fund, made up of a small group of local Vancouver and Calgary volunteers, continues its efforts to raise $1 million (CDN) for emergency aid in response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis. In ten days, CW Asia Fund raised over $585,000 (CDN) and hopes to reach its goal by the end of next week, with the expectation that the Canadian Government will step in to match funds raised. It is estimated that 1.5 million people have been affected by Cyclone Nargis and up to 300,000 killed, including 120,000 children. The estimated death toll now exceeds that of the 2004 Tsunami. “The flooding has stopped in Myanmar, but the health risks continue to escalate and the death toll keeps climbing. The immensity of this human tragedy is verging on the unspeakable,� said Dr. John Cassils, co-founder of CW Asia Fund. “It is essential that the appropriate aid reaches those in need in a timely and organized manner through local support in Myanmar. We are making a desperate call for cash donations and it is our sincere hope that the Canadian Government will honour its pledge to match donations and further boost the humanitarian efforts of our country. Canadians have shown great generosity and CW Asia Fund is very eager to assist through our long-standing relationships with organizations on the ground in Myanmar.� For over eight years, Dr. John and Nina Cassils, two of CW Asia Fund’s co-founders, have worked extensively in Myanmar and have built strong relationships with a number of organizations and individuals that operate within Myanmar, including hospitals, clinics, orphanages, village libraries and local non-governmental organizations (NGO’s). CW Asia Fund is assuring that donations will go directly to those who need it most and in a timely manner. As well as monetary donations, CW Asia Fund is actively sourcing food, medicines and other emergency supplies for those affected by this catastrophe and has been offered the use of a private jet, pre-cleared by Burmese authorities, to deliver emergency supplies. Fully, one hundred percent of donations will be sent directly to local Myanmar organizations. To help CW Asia Fund reach its goal, please visit www.cwasiafund.org to make a donation.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Trevor Howes
CW Asia Fund
604-619-5909
thowes@gmail.com