Contact: Amy Jo Jones, Christian Freedom International (CFI), 800-323-2273

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., May 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- After days of worldwide pressure in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, Burma's military government has finally eased restrictions on the delivery of international relief aid into the country. On Monday, the junta granted permission to its Asian neighbors to oversee the distribution of foreign aid to storm survivors, and also approved a visit to the region by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. According to government officials, the death toll from Cyclone Nargis has now risen to over 78,000, with 56,000 others still missing.

But even as desperately needed relief aid trickles in, ethnic Karen survivors are reportedly still fending for themselves in various parts of the country. With no foreign or government aid of any kind being delivered in Karen-populated areas, thousands of victims are going without the most basic of necessities; many are sleeping on the ground with little more than plastic sheets.

The denial of cyclone relief aid to the Karen is proving to be the latest instance of the Burmese government's genocidal effort to eliminate the mostly Christian ethnic group, which has rebelled against the junta's repressive regime for over four decades. As army guards continue to block roadways and entrances into Karen villages, hundreds of storm victims are suffering and dying each day from injury, disease, and starvation. Although other local Christians have attempted to bridge the gap with secret donations of rice bags, biscuits and clothing, the military's clampdown on relief aid to Karen storm victims has made the mission that much more difficult.

Christian Freedom International (CFI), a Michigan-based organization that aids persecuted Christians around the world, including the Karen, is using its extensive network of underground house church pastors in Burma to wire funds into the country. The organization, which has a long humanitarian history in the region, has built numerous orphanages, schools, and medical facilities, and has remained a firm advocate for the thousands of ethnic Christians who have been suffering in the midst of a destructive civil war for years.

To donate to the cyclone relief effort, or to learn more about CFI's work in Burma, call 1-800-323-2273 or visit www.christianfreedom.org.