Myanmar junta hands out aid boxes with generals' names
The U.N. estimated that 1.5 million to 2 million people have been severely affected and has voiced concern about the disposal of bodies.
With phone lines down, roads blocked and electricity networks destroyed, it is nearly impossible to reach isolated areas in the delta, complicated by the lack of experienced international aid workers and equipment.
The junta has refused to grant access to foreign experts, saying it will only accept donations from foreign charities and governments, and then will deliver the aid on its own.
Despite such obstacles, the U.N. refugee agency sent its first aid convoy by land into Myanmar on Saturday and began airlifting a 110 tons of shelter supplies from its warehouse in Dubai, it said.
Two trucks carrying more than 20 tons of tents and plastic sheets for some 10,000 cyclone victims crossed into the country from northwestern Thailand, said the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
"This convoy marks a positive step in an aid effort so far marked by challenges and constraints," said Raymond Hall, UNHCR's Representative in Thailand. "We hope it opens up a possible corridor to allow more international aid to reach the cyclone victims."
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Member Comments
Posted By: nyeinc @ 05/08/2008 12:04:59 PM
Comment: Is it possible for US to send its aid in civilian aircraft instead of military ones? France attempted to invoke UN???s responsibility-to-protect clause, which more or less mean invasion. I am sure that the Burmese government leaders want help and relief materials from anyone, even U.S. However, it appears that the Burmese government certainly doesn???t want any foreign military units (be it carrying relief supplies) into the country. So, given the three factors ??? its historical stand of no foreign military units in the country, the France???s attempt to invoke UN???s responsibility-to-protect clause and the US???s regime change strategy, the Burmese military is not going to allow American military aircrafts, be it, carrying relief supplies into the country. Is it possible for US to send its aid in civilian aircraft instead of military ones?
Posted By: nyeinc @ 05/08/2008 11:54:25 AM
Comment: According to the official accounts -- as of 2:30 New York Time, May 6, 2008 ??? 22, 464 people died and 41, 054 people are missing. Why is the death toll so high? The storm water surged over 12 feet. The houses in the delta region of my country are used to flooding and are constructed to cope with, say, 5-6 feet but not 12 feet. The bamboo and wooden houses can cope with 120 mile per hour wind, certainly NOT.
Posted By: powin @ 05/07/2008 6:17:59 PM
Comment: It would be a boon if the Bush Administration provided aid to the United Nations knowing that our money is going to a reputable agency. In short, I can't understand why India's meteorological warning wasn't heeded. The Burmese would have had two days to reach higher land. NASA, NOAA and the NRO could also have given adequate warning and provided information about response to the cyclone. In time, this will pass, but I pause to ponder why? This is tragic.