The Salvation Army
Media Release

Salvation Army Kiwi in Myanmar hopes for peaceful end to crisis

Wellington, 27 September 2007 - A New Zealander who heads The Salvation Army in Myanmar says that he hopes the current crisis in that country can be resolved peacefully.

Colonel David Bringans - who with wife Grace is currently home visiting family - is the Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army's Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory.

Colonel Bringans says that while home in New Zealand he is in regular touch with Salvation Army officers in the region about the crisis in Myanmar.

'We are naturally concerned about the safety of our 80 officers and staff in Yangon and other parts of Myanmar, as well as for the wellbeing of the general population.

'The situation in Myanmar is changing rapidly and we are worried that things may escalate still further.'

'But we are hopeful that the crisis can be resolved in a peaceful way to the benefit of the Myanmar people.'

Originally from Christchurch, Colonel Bringans has been based in Singapore with wife Grace for the past four-and-a-half years. He visits Myanmar about four times a year to oversee Salvation Army programmes.

The Salvation Army provides a range of social services and development assistance in Myanmar. These include a community based HIV AIDS programme; a primary school; food distribution and food security programme; first aid; drilling for clean water; small-scale hydroelectric power schemes; and three children's homes.

Colonels David and Grace Bringans will be in New Zealand for another week, before returning to duty in Singapore.

The Salvation Army was first established in Myanmar in 1915.

ENDS

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