The crisis in Myanmar has worsened over the past few days. Rain descends upon the survivors who huddle under makeshift shelters and plastic tarps. The death toll - from the cyclone - and the aftermath - could be as high as 128,000 people. Water and food are only entering the country at a trickle, as the UN meets to determine what are the options to get the aid immediately to all parts of Myanmar. Heavy rains are expected to increase in less than 24 hours, causing a risk of flooding. Portions of the Myanmar update from Bloomberg.com are below:
Myanmar’s Neighbors Plan Cyclone `Coalition of Mercy’ (Update2) By Michael Heath and Viola Gienger
May 15 (Bloomberg) — Myanmar’s neighbors will lead a “coalition of mercy” to assist as many as 2.5 million people affected by Cyclone Nargis.
The ruling generals have told Thailand they don’t need help from international relief workers.
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Myanmar, will develop an aid plan, the group’s Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said in Washington late yesterday. The junta doesn’t want “any experts or any team” from abroad coming into the country, Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said after he met with General Thein Sein in Myanmar yesterday. ……
The United Nations says Myanmar’s civilians are facing a catastrophe from disease unless international aid teams are allowed into the country after the cyclone devastated the southern region 12 days ago.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the death toll from the cyclone] may be as high as 127,990.
The Irrawaddy River delta, the region hardest hit, will have intermittent torrential rain at least to the end of the week, forecaster AccuWeather.com said. Rains may bring more flooding and accelerate the spread of disease, according to the societies. …
Myanmar expressed willingness to accept a Thai medical team, comprising of 30 nurses and doctors and the team will arrive this coming Saturday.….. .
Last Updated: May 15, 2008 07:38 EDT
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aaZNo09L4Ja4&refer=home
2 responses so far ↓
1 News » Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis: The very real human crisis in Myanmar … // May 15, 2008 at 2:34 pm
[…] Barbara wrote an interesting post today on Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis: The very real human crisis in Myanmar …Here’s a quick excerpt… head of the Red Cross and Red Crescent unit that is overseeing efforts to get clean water to cyclone survivors. …. Last Updated: May 15, 2008 07:38 EDT. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aaZNo09L4Ja4&refer=home. […]
2 Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis: The very real human crisis in Myanmar gets worse // Jun 22, 2008 at 6:41 pm
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