City group to help Myanmar refugees

http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2009/01/14/pf-8016281.html

January 14, 2009


By TARINA WHITE

Volunteers leave today for a Calgary-based humanitarian mission to aid Myanmar refugees who have fled their homeland's strict military dictatorship.

The group of 14 with Calgary-based Medical Mercy Canada Society (MMC) is taking medicine, equipment, clothes and baby supplies for Myanmar refugees in India, Thailand and Burma.

Each year since 1992, MMC founders Dr. Myron Semkuley and his wife Elaine have led volunteers to assist the malnourished refugees.

"They're all extremely poor and they just come into Thailand or India with nothing except for what they can carry in their hands," said Myron, 69, a Calgary family physician.

"There's zero or very little support for 98% of the people.

"They need a lot of help and really don't get a lot of help."

Volunteers on the six-week trip, ranging in age from 20 to 65, include doctors, journalists, beekeepers and engineers.

Each participant has paid $5,000 to join the humanitarian mission.

The society operates a blood clinic and also offers medical training, said Myron.