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Burma junta kicks out aid foreign workers
The Burmese authorities have sealed off the cyclone disaster zone from the outside world, expelling foreign aid workers and placing multiple checkpoints along roads into the Irrawaddy delta, to the despair of foreign diplomats and aid workers.
The move came as the UN reported that as many as 2.5 million people were thought to have been affected severely by the cyclone. The Red Cross reported that the death toll from the disaster could reach 127,990.
The isolation of the Delta confirms the growing sense among international organisations that the Burmese junta is never going to allow a massive foreign-led aid effort of the kind that was mounted in several countries after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Aid groups are trying instead to mount a stealth operation in which Western aid is distributed by government organisations, local aid workers, and international staff from countries which the regime regards as friendly and compliant.
Time, though, is running out - not only to avert epidemics of infectious diseases such as cholera, but also to prevent a catastrophic failure of this year's rice crop, 65 per cent of which comes from the cyclone stricken area.
The handful of foreign aid workers who had made it out to the stricken areas of the Delta were on their way back to Rangoon yesterday on the orders of the Government. Foreign journalists who attempted to reach the area were turned back at multiple military checkpoints.
One British NGO (non-governmental organisation), the medical charity Merlin, has been allowed to keep a foreign presence in the southwestern city of Labutta, where the organisation had a longstanding project. The rest, including UN organisations such as the World Food Programme and UN Development Programme, must rely on their Burmese staff.
Many of them are well trained and competent but, according to aid workers in Rangoon, experienced foreign experts are also required to oversee logistical planning and to operate technical imported equipment such as water purification plants.
Thirteen days after Cyclone Nargis, anger at the junta's refusal to allow large-scale foreign aid is giving way to resignation and a search for practical ways around its stubbornness. The heads of aid organisations based in Rangoon report that Cabinet ministers appear unhappy at the suffering inflicted on their people by the cyclone and willing to accept foreign experts. They have been overruled by the senior members of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), above all the senior general, Than Shwe.
The Thai Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, had a two and a half hour meeting yesterday with the Burmese Prime Minister, Thein Sein, who ruled out a significant foreign presence on the ground. “He insisted that his country has a government, its people and the private sector to tackle the problem by themselves,” Mr Samak said.
“They are confident of dealing with the problem by themselves ... They don't need experts but are willing to get aid supplies from every country.”
Larger quantities of aid, including tarpaulins from Britain, came through Rangoon airport yesterday after the trickle of last week. The job of distributing these increased supplies is beyond the capacity of the Burmese military but, rather than being dominated by Western experts, the junta has proposed that the aid effort should be overseen by international staff from China, Burma's closest friend, from neighbouring India and Bangladesh, and from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional organisation that has failed consistently to censure the generals for all but their most extreme acts of oppression.
Even if such an arrangement were agreed, it would require intense organisation to save the next rice harvest. The five states most affected by the cyclone produce 65 per cent of the country's rice, and the Irrawaddy delta produces 15 per cent. Planting the new rice must take place within the next six weeks if there is to be a harvest in October.
The storm, apart from killing and displacing farmers and destroying villages, inundated fields with salty water, destroyed dikes and irrigation channels, and drowned 200,000 buffalo used to plough the fields. The Government has said that it will need $243 million for salt-resistant seed, fertilisers, ploughs and repairs.
The two million Burmese left homeless by Cyclone Nargis may be just hours away from the ravages of a second storm (Leo Lewis writes).
Citing a forecast by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), the United Nations disaster response arm cautioned that a new cyclone may be forming around Burma and carried the risk of making landfall within the next 12 hours. The Hawaiian-based JTWC indicated that the storm may track towards the Burmese city of Rangoon, which is acting as the nerve-centre for the few international aid operations whose presence has been sanctioned by the junta. Its impact on the limited aid operations would be dire.
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Myo Chit, Toronto, Canada
Bro.Myo Chit, China, d neighbours and ASEAN can only advise, urge & maybe pester Myanmar but they cannot pressure which tantamounts to interfereing. 4 a start,d generals have emulated China: getting directly involved and 3 days mourning. Surely they wants love 2. Change
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Myo Chit, Toronto, Canada
Not even China with its booming economy and population can live in isolation. M'mr is close to India n has common borders with China. It is an ASEAN member. Hv u not heard of the joint development of Mekong river countries with China? Can u c the potential 4 growth?
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Myo Chit, Toronto, Canada
I thank the west for many good things it brought to the world but what cannot be tolerated is "they like to come into my house (forcefully at times) and tell me how to run my life."Is this what the Junata is thinking about? Pls ponder b4 saying "slaughter" n human rights
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
The human catastrophe in Burma continues with the unabated slaughter of its cyclone survivors by the junta. Denial of food, shelter and sustenance is as effective as a machete in wiping out populations. The generals continue to be supported by China, India, Thailand, Singapore and ASEAN allies.
Myo Chit, Toronto, Canada
The Burmese junta’s survival is dependent on ASEAN countries for its currency and military hardware. The generals use Burma’s oil and gas resources to keep their neighbours in line. The belief that China, and other neighbors, are applying pressure on the Burmese government is just wishful thinking.
Myo Chit, Toronto, Canada
If China were to apply pressure the generals will cave in. The rank and file of the Burmese army is ruled by by fear, intimidation and money. The junta commands no other loyalty. China, India and ASEAN countries should remove the junta’s blight on ASEAN’s. continuing human rights development.
Myo Chit, Toronto, Canada
If NATO or the UN can "attack" nations, e.g. Iraq, why can't they "attack" and help the poor thousands who are otherwise going to die ?? If not, let us "bomb" Burma with food etc..! The world will be e better place if we do.
Amelia Trueta , Barcelona , Catalonia (Spain)
Mike, Nottm, GB
When we say "non interference" we mean not intruding or meddling in another's internal affair. It does not mean that we cannot give friendly advices. Surely Asean and Asian leaders would have held talks with Myanmar on many subjects.
It is a problem 2 b resolved by peaceful talks
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
I fully agree with d Junta's proposal that International aid be monitored by a joint Chinese, Indian and Asean team. I feel that d West if it is genuinely concerned about d victims should not hesitate to agree. I am sure d joint team has d capability to do d job effectively. It is positive step.
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Amelia Trueta , Barcelona , Catalonia (Spain
U r wrong. It was not Nato or UN that attacked Iraq. It was the US & UK that invaded Iraq. UN was in fact against such unilateral action but our superpower went ahead on the pretext of WMD. They managed to depose of Saddam Hussein but broke the peace.
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
We, the people of Burma give permission to UN troops to come in, Please stop begging the Junta.
Thank you
Maung Myo
A Burmese citizen (live in Australia)
Mg Myo, Australia,
Since there was an extreme amount of clamor as to when & where the U.S. can, & should, go I say let the PIOUS & ALL KNOWING UNITED NATIONS try to handle the situation.If they can't ,then once and forall ,disband them.Get the U.S. out of the U.N. & get the U.N. out of the U.S.
George, Sat. Bch. Fla., U.S.A.
What a load of double-speak. You criticize George Bush unrelentlessly for invading a country to rid it of a tyrant, but out of the same mouth clamour for war against another government to overthrow a tyranny.
Since we're all so sure that Iraq and Afghanistan were mistakes, let's not do it again.
Jim P, Sacramento, California
Sovereignty is not a licence for Burma to commit crimes against its own citizens. Diplomacy has failed and if the West’s concern for these victims is genuine, the only means by which it can save them is to overthrow the Juntas. At least, it may save the future victims, if not the present ones.
J. Mathew, London,
If NATOor the UN can invade Iraq - why not invade Burma and thus do an act of mercy on the thousands of homeless and hungry. Otherwise, why not "bomb" them with food ? The world would be a better place.
Amelia Trueta , Barcelona , Catalonia (Spain)
If the UN or NATO have the power to attack a nation (e.g.Iraq), why not "attack" Burma and help the poor thousands of people who are dieing and are going to die - if the Burmese military junta does not give in. Or else "bomb" them with food ! The world would be a better place if we did this.
Amelia Trueta , Barcelona , Catalonia (Spain)
I spoke to someone at Save the Children headquarters this morning and they still have 500 people on the ground in Burma doing their utmost to help bring relief to the survivors of Nargis. You can donate online at www.savethechildren.org.uk/.
Sophie King, Cambridge, UK
Surely the Chinese could apply more pressure on the Junta, its all very well having a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of another country but at what point should simple humanity override this?
Mike, Nottm, GB
Could this be a bit of population control at the behest of the junta? Perhaps they consider it to be economically prudent to lose a few hundred thousand poor people by letting them die.
E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland
To Kong, Hong Kong
Instead of praying for your Burmese friends, get your government to stop supporting and arming this brutal army junta.
The Burmese people will not get over this, they have no-one to to help them.
zaw aung, london, united kingdom
Diplomatic niceties should be put aside in favour of basic humanity. The junta must not be allowed to ignore the needs of these tragic Burmese people.
Simon Marshland, Bath, UK
It is hard to believe that any country would want to see its people suffer especially in such a disaster.
If the leaders do not react positively, the Myanmarese people will react differently. Common sense must prevail, not suffering.
Plse follow China's good example. Help your people now
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
We all chinese prayed for our burma friends.we will get over this!
Kong, Hong kong, China
What crime did they commit to be sentenced to death? All they were, was in the path of a storm And if Britain or USA is unlucky to be flooded this year; should “DEATH” be for its victims the “NORM”! The answer is “NO” I know, but why should it differ in “BURMA” and be tolerated by the world?
g.mc arder, Belfast/Drogheda, Ireland & N.Ireland
I wish the Chinese well in their recovery, and they are in my prayers. But I also wish the Burmese well, but unfortunately they can't recover! The Chinese leader told a little girl not to worry, that she'll get a new home & the State will look after her. I know the Chinese leader will keep his promise & I admire him for re-assuring the little one. But it’s very sad to note that next door in Burma, no-one, not even little girls are so lucky. "WHY NOT"?
g.mc arder, Belfast/Drogheda, Ireland & N.Ireland