Contact: Lindsay M. Wine, Water Missions International (WMI), 843-769-7395

CHARLESTON, Sc., May 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- Water Missions International (WMI) is preparing 44 water purification systems for immediate deployment to aid survivors of last Saturday's deadly cyclone in Myanmar. The 44 Living Water(TM) Treatment Systems (LWTS(TM)) have been requested from other organizations around the United States who are working to get relief to the people of Myanmar. World Vision has requested 20 water systems, Operation Blessing has requested up to 12, and Samaritan's Purse has asked for 12 water systems to be ready for transport this Friday, May 9. The first water systems to depart Water Missions International for this disaster effort will leave via the Samaritan's Purse transport truck on Friday morning. In addition to these initial 44 systems, Water Missions International is equipped to assemble another 19 water systems in case further requests are received. Each water system treats up to ten gallons of water per minute, approximately 10,000 gallons per day, and supports communities of up to 3,000 people.

Cyclone Nargis, a Category 3 storm, ripped though Myanmar on Saturday, May 3, affecting more than two million people. According to the latest reports, the death toll may top 100,000, and more than 70,000 people are still missing and feared dead. This is the worst disaster to strike Southeast Asia since the Tsunami in 2004. A state of emergency has been declared across five regions of Myanmar, and up to one million people are in desperate need of immediate, life-saving assistance. Clean, safe drinking water tops the list of urgent needs.

Donations are needed immediately to assist with disaster relief efforts. "With a response of this magnitude, Water Missions International could incur costs nearing $1 million," explains Danya Jordan, WMI's VP of Development. "To save lives we must act quickly, and to act quickly, we desperately need funding. We encourage everyone to act now. Every gift makes a difference," Jordan says. For more information on how to help, please contact Danya Jordan at (843)769-7395 or donate online at www.watermissions.org.

About WMI:
Water Missions International (WMI) is a nonprofit, Christian engineering organization based in Charleston, SC. WMI’s mission is to provide sustainable access to safe water and an opportunity to hear the "Living Water" message in developing countries and disaster areas. Assistance is provided regardless of age, sex, race, or faith. To date, WMI has deployed a total of 560 water systems in 35 countries worldwide and two U.S. states, making safe water available to more than one million people. Visit us at www.watermissions.org.

If you would like more information about Water Missions International, or to donate funds to disaster relief projects, please contact Danya Jordan at (843)769-7395 x 210 or djordan@watermissions.org. Donations are also accepted online at www.watermissions.org. For volunteer opportunities, contact Kelly Lewis at (843)769-7395 x 207 or volunteers@watermissions.org.