Worried Burmese community meets with Sen. Klobuchar

Burmese community
Members of the Burmese community met with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Wednesday to talk about the situation in Myanmar, and U.S. efforts to get aid into the country.
MPR Photo/Toni Randolph

Some members of the Twin Cities Burmese community are still trying to find out the fate of their family members who live in the area of Myanmar that was hit by a cyclone three weeks ago.

Some of them met with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar yesterday, and told her how they're coping with the disaster.

Myint Myint Thu's parents and three sisters live in the hard hit area. Her parents survived the storm, but her sisters are among the 56,000 people who are still missing. "I don't know how I am able to help them. I know they are in bad shape so I'm so worried about their health," Thu said.

The local Burmese community sent about $4,000 in donations to the country, also known as Burma, to help people in the aftermath of the cyclone.

Officials in the country say the storm killed 78,000 people.

Sen. Klobuchar said the U.S. is working through the United Nations and non-government organization to help with disaster relief efforts.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.