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Soles4Souls(TM) Inc. Sends 25,000 Pairs of Shoes to Myanmar; Calls for More Action from Donors and Shoe Companies

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 8 PRNewswire — Soles4Souls, the international charity dedicated to providing footwear for the needy worldwide, announced they have sent 25,000 pairs of shoes to the victims of the recent cyclone in Myanmar, also known as Burma. Supplies are most needed in Irrawaddy Delta, where survivors stave off disease and hunger and cling to what remains of their homes and families.

The first shipments of foreign aid had been stopped at the border as recently as Thursday, May 8. Outside aid groups, both government and civilian, have been delayed at the border because of Myanmar's refusal to allow outsiders into the country.

Among the supplies caught in the holding pattern are tens of thousands of pairs of new puncture-resistant work boots, athletic shoes, and sandals for children, donated by Soles4Souls and its partners around the world.

Soles4Souls Founder and CEO, Wayne Elsey, was cautiously optimistic that the military junta would begin to allow foreign aid groups into the country. "We are hoping that the recent news reports are true — that the government in Myanmar is giving access to its people so that relief supplies can be delivered," Elsey said. "We are calling on our partners to donate more shoes and resources so that we can get more supplies to needy people in Myanmar," he said.

According to news reports, many thousands of people in the country have no drinking water, food, clothing or shelter. "Time is running out for thousands of people, and we are all very anxious to help," Elsey said.

Cyclone Nargis, which came ashore last Saturday, has some death toll estimates of 100,000 people, with up to 1 million people homeless. It has already been deemed one of the worst natural disasters in history.

Relief has been trickling in slowly. Several high-profile aid groups, such as The United Nations World Food Program, have said the country needs hundreds of planeloads of supplies and equipment to cope with the cyclone, something most countries are ill-equipped to handle. Other aid groups are worried that any supplies would be siphoned off by the military junta. Many critics accuse the junta of stalling because they do not want an influx of foreigners into the countryside, which could weaken their totalitarian grip on the country.

There are alarming fears that many of those who survived the first tragedy may succumb to a second — falling prey to hunger, disease and exposure while the supplies that might save them sat nearby with no way or permission to get in. With some international pressure from Myanmar's allies, including China, it appears that the supplies may get through to the people who need them most.

For information on how you can help, visit www.giveshoes.org

About Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls(TM) facilitates the donations of shoes, which will be used to aid the hurting worldwide. The organization has distributed more than 3 million pairs of shoes since January 2005 (or one pair of shoes every 28 seconds). Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate both new and "gently worn" footwear. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. For more information about Soles4Souls, please call (866) 521-SHOE, or visit www.giveshoes.org.

SOURCE Soles4Souls

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