Union of Myanmar / Burma

Population

Population: 47,758,181 (July 2008 est.)

Capital: Rangoon (Yangon)

Nationality: Burmese

Ethnic groups: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5%

Language: Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Economy

Currency (code): kyat (MMK)

Exchange rates: kyats per US dollar - 1,296 (2007), 1,280 (2006), 5.761 (2005), 5.7459 (2004), 6.0764 (2003) *note: unofficial exchange rates ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar, and by yearend 2005, the unofficial exchange rate was 1,075 kyat/US dollar; data shown for 2003-05 are official exchange rates

Church members pray for help after Cyclone Nargis leaves them without food for weeks.

A team member buys rice to distribute to hard-hit areas after Cyclone Nargis

One of our team members planing rice distribution with village elders in the Irrawaddy Delta

A Children's Home receives rice from one of our team members after Cyclone Nargis