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From The Times
May 6, 2008

Oppressive regime may frustrate charities’ efforts

Alexi Mostrous

Fundraising efforts to help the Burmese cyclone victims could be hindered by the oppressive nature of the country’s military regime.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation set up to co-ordinate fundraising in Britain for major international disasters, may decide against a national appeal because it may be unable to deliver emergency aid to victims. The DEC’s 13 members are scheduled to meet today.

If they decide against a co-ordinated appeal, the burden of raising funds would rest on individual charities. A non-coordinated response is likely to raise significantly less. A spokesman for DEC — which includes World Vision and Save the Children — said: “Burma’s isolation will definitely be a factor. There are relatively few Western organisations operating in the country.”

DEC used its rapid response network in November to raise almost £10 million for cyclone victims in Bangladesh, using television appeals and adverts in banks, post offices and the regional and national press.

Burmese authorities indicated yesterday that they would accept “certain forms of aid” through the United Nations.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office sent e-mails to 200 British citizens living in Burma on May 1, warning them that the cyclone was going to strike.

It will indeed be sad if the military regime comes out with conditions for providing prompt succour to the cyclone victims. The world has to move fast with help while the generals must deploy the troops used to quell peaceful protests by monks in the recent past to come to citizens' rescue.

NK Pant, Dehra Dun, India

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