So far, only a tiny number of emergency volunteers and NGO's have managed to reach the most devastated areas of the Irrawaddy Delta, where cyclone survivors are suffering from torrential monsoon rains, without shelter, clothing, food and basic medicines. For the moment, the best and most expedient way to get help fast to the people who need it most is through the Burmese people themselves, the local volunteers who are trying to reach survivors with water, food and medicines before they succumb to the illnesses and hunger that are sure to come in the aftermath of the cyclone without immediate help. And that's the opportunity I want to tell you about.

Our representatives in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, Exotissimo Travel, also have offices in Myanmar. Volunteers from the Yangon (Rangoon) office of Exotissimo have already bought and delivered supplies for a field hospital, a significant quantity of water, rice and other food stuffs, plastic sheeting for shelter, medicine and clothing. They have delivered the supplies personally, in rented trucks and boats, to the people in the Irrawaddy Delta, who are the most at risk. You can read their personal account below.

If you have been watching the horrific images coming out of Myanmar and feel moved to help, please donate whatever you can. It doesn't take much money to make a big difference, and the money you give is going directly, 100%, into immediate emergency assistance.

P.S. Last week, we also watched in horror the reports of the powerful earthquake that struck China's Sichuan province. We send many tourists to China each year, and it's a destination that's very close to our hearts. China has been very receptive to foreign humanitarian aid, and many excellent international organizations are collecting donations for earthquake relief, such as Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam International. You can find a list of top-rated organizations working on China earthquake relief on the website of the American Institute of Philanthropy.

An unedited message & photos from one of the first volunteers, part of a local Exotissimo team:

Exotissimo truck and queue for assistance, Myanmar We got back from Delta region. Exotissimo team of 12 persons went to delta with 3 truck of rice, beans, potatoes, drinking water, medicine, instant noodles, clothes.. etc..donated by Exotissimo clients of all over the world.

Ten women's trip was Yangon – Kyaik Lat – Pyar Pon – Dae Da Ye - Kyun Chan Kone – Kaw Hmu – Twante – Yangon. The rest two men from Exotissimo went to the villages of Bogalay as only men can reach these regions due worst condition, Destroyed villages with dead bodies float on the water.

We drove to Kyaik Lat and stay overnight there. We talked to people in Kyaik Lat and Phar Pon.

People living in Town:
I talked to the local people in town how come they could not help to victims. Seems they don't have their heart left. The whole town was damage. In down town, beautiful old house collapsed into pieces. I really don't know how they are going to built up again. Everybody seems very poor even before cyclone they have to try hard even for daily meals. I really have no idea how they are going to make new house on top of nothing left. I saw people sitting in the half collapsed house under the heavy rain. Some people houses are in good condition and seems good business but seems they could not help much to thousands of people. If they give to some the rest people will come and they just can't handle this. So they close the door.

Roadside queue for assistance, Myanmar People living in the villages and rice field:
I saw ruins of thatches and old bamboo in the rice fields. No men there as no land left. All covered by water. Poor villagers running after our truck in desperate need of everything. Men, women, children are sitting each side of the road waiting to the donors. When they saw cars coming they just run to us. Our truck driver had hard time not to hit them. We had to advise them to line up to receive donation.

I saw sub-human level. If it is rain they got wet then when sun is coming again their clothes are dry again. They only have clothes they are wearing. We don't have enough clothes to provide all of them so they have to fight to get one old second hand T shirt. Dogs seem to know what was going on. They were also exciting to accompany their masters when receiving donation. Kids are just kids. They are amazing that they could still laugh. They waved us, they smiled us and running after us with curiosity. When they received something they run back to their parents with full of joy!

We could not hold tears when victims are praying and wishing best of luck to all the donors. We had to leave behind them with heavy heart. This is about villagers we saw on our way.

Outside a temple, Myanmar People living in the refugee camp (monasteries, Pagoda, church, school compound):
We saw people living in monasteries, church, pagoda and schools. These people are homeless. Their properties are totally destroyed. Monks and church provide them food and shelter for a while. They don't know how to start their life. We neither. The night we went there was raining. When we met them in the morning we learnt that last night over 3000 people including monks had to stand all night long due heavy rain. If there is no rain they can sleep on the pagoda platform.

Sacks of food, Myanmar We donate rice bags, potatoes bags, bean bags to give them food. We asked all victims to come and sit to get small bags of rice, soap, instant noodles and potatoes to hold on the situation till international aids are coming (hopefully). We donate to more than 5000 people in the refugee camp and 2000 people on the way hand to hand delivery. So that we make sure that they got it.

We were so glad that we could made it. Very tiring and risky trip but we learn more about life and to know how to value it.

Thank you very much for your kindness and help.