SPDC’s Failure in Cyclone Mission

June 14, 2008

There are many sorrowful stories emerging from our contacts inside, telling how the people of Burma have suffered from Cyclone Nargis which devastated so many communities in the divisions of Irrawaddy and Rangoon. Various sources, including UN Agencies, have estimated that over 130,000 people are dead, about 250,000 people face an extremely difficult ongoing situation and about 2.5 million people are suffering with a lack of shelter and food.

Prior to Cyclone Nargis, the ruling regime was made aware of the impending storm but failed to warn the people of Burma, people who had not experienced such a storm in their history, and any life-saving relocation of the people in advance was not accomplished by the regime.

Additionally, after the cyclone the delay in opening up the areas affected for the UN and international relief agencies increased the death toll and contributed to the spread of communicable diseases. Neglecting corpse collection and the safe burial of dead persons made the situation all the more dangerous, as water sources became contaminated and unusable for cyclone survivors living in displaced communities. Entire families who perished in the cyclone have gone unrecognized and unidentified as authorities failed to reach the area and expert foreign relief teams were denied access.

Aid is still yet to filter through to over 50% of cyclone victims, who remain solely responsible for sourcing their own food and water in hazardous conditions. Realizing they could not rely on the regime, many Burmese communities sympathetic with each other’s situation have teamed up to help each other as best they can.

The SPDC has shown they are out of touch, uncaring and have no capacity to deal with this situation. Although this failed mission has led to widespread tragedy across Burma, the regime simply does not care.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Commentary