100,000 + dead? Burma's leaders facing growing international condemnation

The Affected area Before & After
NASA satellite image, (click image for larger view)

Because of the Burmese military junta's stubborn reluctance to accept foreign aid, six days after the devastating Cyclone 'Nargis' devastated much of the area in the Irrawaddy delta and beyond, those suffering from the aftermath of the devastation and flooding are unable to receive effective help.

This is a direct result of inhumanity of the oppressive, dictatorial Burmese military junta

The United Nations has reported that its planes, carrying essential food, and other supplies, cannot enter because they still do not have permission to land.

The regional ASEAN group has reportedly urged the military regime to allow in aid flights "before it's too late". The call from ASEAN, of which Burma is a member has thus far been rather half-hearted and weak, whilst millions of people are suffering, ASEAN seems to be almost indifferent, this is perhaps a reflection of how cheap life is seen to be in the countries which make up the regional grouping called ASEAN.

It has been said that the death toll easily could reach 100,000, and go even much higher if immediate effective aid is not received.

Some relief teams which have finally managed to reach some of the worst-hit areas have described harrowing scenes; aid workers have reported bodies rotting in the fields and desperate survivors fighting each other for what little food and water there is.

Burmese troops are moving into the affected areas but, according to reports, their resources are totally inadequate to deal with a disaster on this scale. Only a massive international, well coordinated effort will be able to provide adequate help for those affected by last Saturday’s Cylone ‘Narjis’.

The reclusive, dictatorial and oppressive Burmese military junta has however spurned some offers of aid, including one from the USA, which offered to deploy US Navy Ships.

Meanwhile, foreign aid workers are being held up by red tape are having to queue for Burmese entry visas.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said three UN flights from Bangkok, Dhaka and Dubai with 40 tonnes of high energy biscuits were still awaiting clearance by Burmese authorities.

WFP spokesman Paul Risley told AP news agency: "It is especially frustrating that critically needed food aid is being held up."

Late on Wednesday, 7^th May 2008, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Burma should let the international community help.

"It should be a simple matter. It's not a matter of politics. It's a matter of a humanitarian crisis," she said.

Libertas inaestimabilis res est



- Liberty is a thing beyond all price