The first deliver of aid from the UN World Food Programme was stolen by officials from the Burma military Junta. As a result, the shipment of aid into the country by the UN has stopped.
This is as earlier reports indicating that the death toll would surpass 100,000 are starting to look realistic, if not optimistic. Yesterday, a BBC reporter, under cover, was taken on a tour of the peninsula, where he and his crew filmed rice fields with a thin scatter of corpses. Tradition in this region dictates that the dead are cremated, but local monks claim that there is not enough firewood to cremate even a small percentage of the dead.
From the BBC:
The UN body says the Burmese government seized tonnes of aid material flown in to help victims of Cyclone Nargis, which has killed tens of thousands.The WFP said it had no choice but to halt aid until the matter was resolved.
Burma's ruling generals have faced mounting criticism over their handling of the crisis.
The UN fears more than 1.5 million people have been affected by the cyclone, with tens of thousands made homeless and vulnerable to disease.
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The U.S. used to lead relief efforts and get things done. It's one of the few things we were respected for. Note the past tense. Note our president's lack of interest.
Good for you for calling the country by its correct name. I know that seems insignificant compared to the tragedy that has occurred there, but by recognizing the name change, we granted the government some degree of legitimacy - a government that has been an ongoing disaster for millions who live there.
Posted by: uncle noel | May 9, 2008 10:22 AM
The U.S. used to lead relief efforts and get things done. It's one of the few things we were respected for. Note the past tense. Note our president's lack of interest.
Good for you for calling the country by its correct name. I know that seems insignificant compared to the tragedy that has occurred there, but by recognizing the name change, we granted the government some degree of legitimacy - a government that has been an ongoing disaster for millions who live there.
Posted by: uncle noel | May 9, 2008 10:24 AM
The U.S. used to lead relief efforts and get things done. It's one of the few things we were respected for. Note the past tense. Note our president's lack of interest.
Yes, indeed.
Posted by: Richard Parker | May 9, 2008 10:29 AM
Greg:"a BBC reporter, under cover,"
I hate to be a turd (for some reason I am ALWAYS a turd...) but remember your scenario of dealing with the CIA in Africa, and a core belief that those bastards--no matter what you tell them about local populations--will always use the information for some nefarious spook purpose?
So too with the 'western aid' and 'UN helpers'...so hence the juntas distrust of so-called "aid workers."
Posted by: the real cmf | May 9, 2008 2:14 PM
re: "our president's lack of interest."
Yeah, but he was sure quick to get Barbara yakking abouthow Burma could do more: nice Republican obfuscation of his failure on Katrina
Posted by: the real cmf | May 9, 2008 2:19 PM
Bush was more interested in FEMA as a haven for political hacks.
Posted by: Joe Cooper | May 9, 2008 2:36 PM
CMF, I don't know about always a turd. Right now I'm leaning toward close-mouthed brat--when I can stop laughing. That was one of the best punchlines (in the non-specific sense) I've seen on a blog, even if it was at my expense.
And no, I have no intention of explaining that to anyone else.
Posted by: Stephanie Z | May 9, 2008 3:56 PM
on tuesday, we are distributing 380 generators, and it's going to be a nightmare. the army, the navy, mo-po (mobile police), and security will all be on high alert and armed. last time we gave rice out, and the rumors start about running out. then mad chaos, a frenzy. that time the navy came in with sticks with all these little nails poking out, and went to settling the crowd.
it's like a living, breathing, seething sea of desperation and desolation. and this isn't even after any disaster. this is just everyday life here. it's something boy. the poorest of the poor now, bodies floating in the river, fishing and bathing in a river with a sheen of diesal covering it, all the while the fires burning, cow manure, tyres, sometimes humans. adults beating down children for little hard candies we throw out. you can't give to one if you don't give to everyone.
tuesday is going to be a mess.
Posted by: laurisa | May 9, 2008 4:10 PM
Laurisa, take care please--at least as much as you can and still do what you need to do? Even when it doesn't feel like you can do anything.
Posted by: Stephanie Z | May 9, 2008 4:41 PM
Stephanie:"one of" the ?
which one?
That JJ is just a douche in every sense of the turd...but I aim ta please;-)
Glad you are getting it now;P
secret word: McKenzies....
laurissa: when your not 2 bizzi dodging turd throwing monkeys, mosey over to where Stephanies been hanging out lately;-)
Posted by: the real cmf | May 9, 2008 6:24 PM
CMF, the one where I thought I was being clever, of course.
Still a secret, I'm afraid. I'm without paddle, rudder or sail. Too many faint echoes with no clear message.
At least now, should I ever need to describe it, I know what talking to a hive mind is like.
Posted by: Stephanie Z | May 10, 2008 12:29 AM