Beneath the radar of the media Christian development groups with connections on the ground are getting on with practical relief efforts - TEAR Australia among them, says our correspondent Doug Hynd.

TEAR’s project officer Phil Wilkerson returned from Burma on Sunday night. He reports:

“During my week in Yangon, HOPE International Development Agency, one of TEAR’s partners, was able to help organise a local medical team of 45 people to travel to the Irrawaddy Delta. The team have worked in the area for many years and know the communities well. They treated injuries, wounds and infections, the familiar faces of the medical team bringing a glimmer of hope to the survivors. While there is a lot on the news about what isn’t going well in Burma, there are positive signs of cooperation, compassion and resourcefulness.”

"You can see more photos of our partners in action, like the one above, on TEAR’s website" - http://tear.org.au/projects/emergencies/burma-cyclone-relief/169