A WORTHING couple has been watching events in cyclone-hit Myanmar (formerly Burma) more than most this week, because very shortly they will be flying to the troubled country to head the Salvation Army there.
Darrell and Katrina Thomas, both majors at the Salvation Army in Worthing, are relocating to Yangon (formerly Rangoon) from July 27.
"We have been in contact over the weekend and know things are very serious over there," said Major Thomas.
"The Salvation Army headquarters has had its roof ripped off and a newly-built boys' home we run there has been damaged, but as far as we can tell at present, no members of the Salvation Army in Myanmar have been killed in the cyclone."
He welcomed the news that the military government in Myanmar has, for the first time, agreed to ask foreign countries to help in the rescue operation.
"This shows just how bad the situation is out here," he said.
Major Thomas added: "We don't yet know whether we will be asked to leave earlier than July because of the situation. If we are asked, we will be ready."
He explained that the Salvation Army in Myanmar is a relatively small operation but internationally, the Army can be mobilised, so that teams can be sent to any areas where help is needed.
Major Thomas said the problem was that, as a Third World country, Myanmar lacked the equipment needed to cope with the aftermath of such a catastrophic event.
Major Thomas has been the mayor's chaplain for the past year.
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