Archive for May 19th, 2008
(Burma and China): Two disasters, contrasting reactions
Page last updated at 16:51 GMT, Tuesday, 13 May 2008 17:51 UK
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By Bridget Kendall
Diplomatic correspondent, BBC News |
Two powerful natural disasters, wreaking havoc through large swathes of territory.
Aid has been slow to reach Burmese due to restrictions on foreign help
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Two Asian countries reeling from the horror of tens of thousands of people probably dead and hundreds of thousands more made destitute and homeless.
And two governments, one a military junta and the other a Communist oligarchy, both traditionally suspicious of outside intervention.
But what a contrast between the different ways they are handling their situations.
Since the cyclone that hit Burma on 3 May, the government there has been wary of giving access to outsiders, sluggish in its own response and reluctant to contemplate flexibility.
From the outset the military regime allowed in only a small percentage of the relief experts who were needed to assess the devastation and set up supply routes to reach survivors.
Journalists, usually welcomed in such circumstances so the world knows what is happening, have had to slip in incognito.
Immediate offers of airlifts and naval support from as far afield as the United States were greeted with hesitation.
And even when shipments were grudgingly accepted, government spokesmen tried to insist that while aid was welcome, foreign aid workers were not and the Burmese army could manage without them.
The Burmese army was notably absent in the days following the cyclone
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Yet the immensity of the tragedy seems to be far beyond the means of the Burmese themselves.
In some places lucky survivors appeared to have been the recipients of government dispersed tents.
But elsewhere snatched glimpses of bloated bodies left floating in flooded paddy fields, and pictures of soldiers at Rangoon airport unloading aid sacks by hand sent an eloquent signal that this inward-looking regime was ill-equipped to cope with the scale and urgency of such a monumental disaster.
People, it seems, are not the first priority.
A referendum to adapt the country’s constitution went ahead as planned on Saturday, except in the inundated areas of the Irrawaddy Delta.
Maintaining a firm political grip on the country, it seems, is more important to the Burmese generals than meeting the desperate needs of some of their own citizens.
Swift action
Compare that to the response of the Communist government in China to this week’s catastrophic earthquake, where the government has sent the message it is prepared to be swift, flexible and surprisingly open.
Within hours the prime minister was on a plane to the region, and Chinese state television, not known for its quick response to emergencies, was rolling with a special disaster programme.
China’s premier (left) flew to the scene within hours of the earthquake
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Pictures of collapsed buildings and trapped survivors have sped around the world.
Some foreign journalists have been able to get to the region to send eyewitness reports.
In contrast to Burma’s inflexibility over its referendum plans, in China a swift decision was taken to scale down ceremonies surrounding the once controversial Olympic torch relay and add a daily minute of silence, out of respect for the victims.
As for offers of outside help, there has been an official welcome for the pledges of relief that have been pouring in.
And even if, like Burma, the Chinese government has stopped short of accepting disaster relief workers, it has moved fast to announce it is mobilising its own considerable resources into what appears to be an impressive rescue mission.
Tens of thousands of Chinese police and soldiers have been making their way to the disaster zone by truck, plane, parachute and some even on foot.
How effective they will be in managing this disaster will no doubt emerge in the next few days and weeks.
Whether outsiders – journalists and aid workers – will continue to be allowed near the disaster area remains a question.
Already the Chinese foreign ministry is warning that foreign journalists may be kept away from the earthquake zone “for their own safety”.
But at the very least, the Chinese government clearly wants to demonstrate to its own people – and to the outside world – that it can cope, and that it cares for its citizens’ welfare.
Different pattern
To be fair, though the scale of the two disasters is perhaps comparable, the logistical problems thrown up by a cyclone and a tidal surge versus the upheaval caused by a major earthquake in heavily populated areas are difficult to equate.
And even if one could, the sheer size and wealth of China, and the resilience of its infrastructure in comparison to Burma meant it was always going to be in a better position to shoulder the burden locally.
But what is particularly striking is how different this week’s reaction in China is from its own inadequate response to disasters in the past, and from the other ways in which it tries to hide sensitive political information.
The Chinese army was quickly mobilised to help earthquake victims
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Its slow and secretive handling of the outbreak of Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003 led to accusations of a cover up, even though it claimed it was trying to avoid a mass panic about a medical outbreak.
In 2005 when an explosion at a petrochemical factory contaminated a river supplying the northern city of Harbin, the Chinese authorities were severely criticised for failing to own up to the disaster quickly enough.
Yet now it seems that a different pattern is emerging.
Earlier this year when millions of Chinese were stranded by ice and heavy snow in the worst winter storms in decades, the authorities again moved swiftly to try to get on top of the emergency.
Hundreds of thousands of troops were deployed and easing the crisis was declared a number one priority.
Whether because the eyes of the world are upon it in this Olympic year, or because the Chinese themselves, particularly the increasingly affluent and empowered urban middle class, demand more of their own government, these days in China – unlike in Burma – there seems to be a greater sense of the need to be accountable.
Quake disaster in China
Phayul, Tibet -
The prayers and offering were also meant for the estimated 100000 who lost their lives due to the killer cyclone in Myanmar as well the Tibetan victims of …
Phayul, Tibet -
Even a partially democratic Burma threatens China’s very profitable exploitation of Burma’s oil and gas resources. It also puts at risk China’s naval access …
BBC News -
China has begun three days of mourning for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province. In Tiananmen Square, the flag flew at half-mast.
China holding 3 days of mourning for quake victims The Associated Press
Hopes fading in search for quake survivors in China International Herald Tribune
New York Times – Informify – Aljazeera.net – Jerusalem Post
Quake blogs
How Chinese bloggers and web forums have responded
Devastating scenes
The moment the quake struck and its terrible aftermath
World Focus on Burma (19 May 08)
Radio Australia, Australia -
The former Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer is pushing for military intervention to deliver aid to Burma’s cyclone victims. …
Globe and Mail, Canada -
Myanmar, also known as Burma, said it will open its doors to teams from the 10 ASEAN countries, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo told reporters after …
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Marvell Pledges Aid to Victims of Sichuan Earthquake and Cyclone …
PR Newswire (press release), NY - … with a company contribution of up to $1 million for victims of the disastrous Sichuan earthquake and the cyclone in Burma, also known as Myanmar. …  MRVL |
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British minister says aid plan for Myanmar must work quickly, no …
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - … ready to change approach if the tactic doesn’t work quickly, or if there is any outbreak of disease among survivors in Myanmar, also known as Burma. … |
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Cyclones and Sanctions
Reason Online, CA - As David Steinberg points out in Burma: The State of Myanmar, any observer “would have pointed to Burma as the potential economic and political leader of … |
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Press Briefing by Scott Stanzel
Whitehouse.gov (press release), DC - Q And second, as far as earthquake in China and Burma is concerned, one, can you confirm there are some reports now again as far as earthquake in China, … |
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Myanmar letting in some foreign staff for cyclone aid
Hinesberg Journal, Canada - YANGON, Myanmar – After weeks of international pressure, Myanmar agreed to let in medical teams from neighboring countries and give the Association of … |
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Sonoma-Mendocino Red Cross seeks help
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA - But many have been deterred by news the junta government of Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been refusing help from foreign aid agencies and governments, … |
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Statement by Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for …
7thSpace Interactive (press release), NY - … that we will use the regional channel to deliver aid if that is the fastest and most practical way to meet the urgent needs of the people of Burma. … |
Atlantic Online -
The firm plans to release a statement to the press about its work for the government of Myanmar six years ago. Why, I asked, did DCI terminate its contract …
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -
The Prime Minister said that in the internet age a reclusive country like Burma, also known as Myanmar, can no longer remain hidden away from the world. …
MSN Money UK
Foreign Correspondent, Canada -
The recent cyclone in Burma (Myanmar) and the massive earthquake in China seemed to tragically confirm the astrologer’s predictions about the Year of the …
Disasters show true colours Cape Breton Post
Dealing with Burma’s junta TheChronicleHerald.ca
Chinese and Burmese community urges more aid from Ottawa 680 News
National Post – BBC News
all 214 news articles »
 AFP |
US says aid has helped 100000 in Myanmar
AFP - “It’s our view that we would like to continue to do more,” spokesman Scott Stanzel told reporters in Washington, where the country is referred to as Burma. … ASEAN to take lead in Burma relief Melbourne Herald Sun Burma to admit more foreign aid The Age Hopes for Myanmar cyclone aid rise as ASEAN meets Washington Post Swissinfo – Bloomberg all 514 news articles » |
 The Age |
Myanmar cyclone: Burma’s junta announces three days of mourning
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Mr Ban himself will arrive in Burma, also known as Myanmar, on Wednesday. Seventeen days after the cyclone as many as two million survivors are yet to … Burma softens stance on cyclone aid guardian.co.uk The Return of Burma’s Monks TIME The Cyclone Is Not The Only Disaster CBS News Independent – Inquirer.net all 584 news articles » |
 ITV.com |
Internet can force change in Myanmar: Brown
AFP - “It is true that in Burma we have not been able to get as much food and supplies into Burma that we would like but now a country like Burma cannot remain … Blogs will shame Burma into action, says Brown Metro Brown promises “light touch” tech regulation Reuters British Prime Minister Criticizes Burma Over Failure to Allow in … Voice of America Times Online – ITV.com all 408 news articles » |
CBC.ca, Canada -
“We will establish a mechanism so that aid from all over the world can flow into Myanmar [Burma],” Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo told reporters. …
ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland -
We should not stop in appealing to government and international institutions to put pressure on the government of Burma in order to acquire permission to …
 TopNews |
Open wallets for Burma, urges Rudd
NEWS.com.au, Australia - PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has urged Australians not to hold back from donating to the relief operation in Burma, as aid was getting through. … ‘It’s difficult in there. It’s like walking a tightrope’ The Age Tim Costello dejected over inability to help in Burma Sydney Morning Herald Cyclone Nargis to have bigger impact than Tsunami Thaindian.com The Age – NEWS.com.au all 43 news articles » |
 BBC News |
Myanmar: 3 days of mourning for cyclone victims
The Associated Press - YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s military government has announced a three-day mourning period for victims of Cyclone Nargis beginning Tuesday. … Myanmar announces mourning period Bombay News » Myanmar mourns for 3 days iAfrica.com Myanmar to observe three days of mourning CBS 42 WBOC TV 16 all 78 news articles » |
RedOrbit, TX -
… Kimura are currently in Yangon to look into the status of Myanmar [Burma]‘s relief and resettlement works in the aftermath of the cyclone disaster, …
UNICEF UK (press release), UK -
Khin San Win, 35, her husband and their 3-year-old son, Mg Myo Min Thant, are back in their village in southwestern Myanmar (Burma) and staying with friends …
ic Wales, United Kingdom -
This is the telegenic aid fantasy that has hooked some politicians in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis and the government of Myanmar’s (Burma’s) refusal to …
‘Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar’: ASEAN emergency rapid assessment team … ReliefWeb (press release)
Why Not Air Drop Supplies Into Myanmar? Chronicle of Philanthropy (subscription)
all 7 news articles »
Reuters -
YANGON (Reuters) – The young doctors of Myanmar treating cyclone survivors may see things many doctors never see. Hundreds of doctors barely out of Yangon …
Burma health system strained by cyclone CTV.ca
Aid-wary Burma allows medics in The Times
Thai, Indian doctors allowed to enter Myanmar Globe and Mail
all 279 news articles »
 Corpus Christi Caller Times |
Clean, natural is in again
Times Record News, TX - “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Those words of William Morris — British poet, socialist and … Sun shines a light on art Corpus Christi Caller Times Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Graduate list Corpus Christi Caller Times all 974 news articles » |
New Europe, Belgium -
… adding that France would not move from its position, even at the risk of antagonising China, which is close to the government in Myanmar (Burma). …
Shetland News, UK -
Donations can be made by phone on 0870 6060 900, online at http://www.dec.org.uk or by post to DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal, PO Box 232, Melksham, SN12 6WF.
Shop at Ethical Superstore to help cyclone victims Hippy Shopper
all 2 news articles »
Xinhua, China -
BANGKOK, May 19 (Xinhua) — Food, health supplies and aid staff flown into Myanmar are still far insufficient to meet the need of an estimated 2.4 million …
Thailand airport to act as Burma aid staging area Radio Australia
Bangkok’s old airport becomes relief hub for Myanmar (Roundup) Monsters and Critics.com
Myanmar to Admit Thai Doctors as West Presses for More Access Bloomberg
Xinhua – Monsters and Critics.com
all 17 news articles »
 San Diego Union Tribune |
Myanmar family can only wait for news
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - The United Nations says more than 2 million people in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, urgently need food, water and shelter since the country … |
Hillsboro Times Gazette, OH -
A tragedy is taking shape in Myanmar (aka Burma), as yet another totalitarian regime places its grasp on power above the welfare and even lives of its …
The Age, Australia -
“We will establish a mechanism so that aid from all over the world can flow into Myanmar (Burma).” The entry of aid workers from outside ASEAN would be …
CBBC Newsround
Toronto Star, Canada -
Kyaw said the monks inside Burma, also known as Myanmar, are relying on an international network of Burmese Buddhists in order to fund the purchase of …
Myanmar cyclone: Forced labour camp fears Telegraph.co.uk
Survivors seek refuge from rain amid the death and turmoil guardian.co.uk
Cyclone victim prefers ruins over government camp Reuters
National Post – San Francisco Chronicle
all 32 news articles »
Asia Times Online, Hong Kong -
A May 17 report on the situation from the US Campaign for Burma, an exile-run advocacy group, said cyclone victims in Set Su village, Bogalay township, …
Toronto Star, Canada -
Two weeks after the cyclone, Burma – also known as Myanmar – still lacks the network of missing person information that helped foreign tourists and locals …
Thai News Agency MCOT, Thailand -
SINGAPORE, May 19 (TNA) – Foreign ministers of Thailand and Myanmar early Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop Myanmar’s Tavoy …
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Human zoo opens in Thailand
Daily Telegraph, Australia - There are tens of thousands of Kayan refugees living in camps on the Thai-Burma border who are theoretically denied permission to work in Thailand. … |
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Survivors recall Nargis’ fury, junta’s neglect
Globe and Mail, Canada - Myanmar, also known as Burma, claims its military and local volunteers have control of the disaster, but Ms. Win saw a different reality. … |
ic Wales, United Kingdom -
This is the telegenic aid fantasy that has hooked some politicians in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis and the government of Myanmar’s (Burma’s) refusal to …
Earthtimes (press release), UK -
New York – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon plans to travel this week to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar to push for speedier relief efforts, which continue to move …
Earthtimes (press release), UK -
New York – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon plans to travel this week to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar to push for speedier relief efforts, which continue to move …
Radio New Zealand, New Zealand -
A breakthrough could be near on a framework to get aid to the millions needing help after Cycone Nargis came ashore in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta earlier …
Bradenton Herald, United States -
… British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he believes the rulers of Myanmar – also known as Burma …
elEconomista.es, Spain -
The UN also wants a conference in Bangkok on May 24 tomarshal funds for the relief effort in the former Burma, wherethe military government has so far …
Bloomberg -
Hundreds of thousands of people are without shelter as Southeast Asia’s monsoon rains begin in the country formerly known as Burma. …
SouthCoastToday.com, MA -
Last week, when a congressional resolution merely offering “condolences and sympathy” to the people of Myanmar, also known as Burma, came up for a vote, …
The Mercury (subscription), South Africa -
YANGONK: Witnesses returning from the southern Myanmar delta devastated by Cyclone Nargis said that the situation was desperate and that many survivors were …
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The Party of Death
New Republic (subscription), DC - Suffice it to say that, yes, Burma is a postcolonial country whose paranoia can perhaps be explained by the fact that long ago it had to endure the miasma … |
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UN humanitarian chief travels to cyclone-devastated delta in Myanmar
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he believes the rulers of Myanmar – also known as Burma – may … |
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Burmese woman teaching English to other Burmese in Frederick
Examiner.com - Wipf’s mother died two days before Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar (formerly Burma), killing more than 30000 people. Wipf has lived for years in Frederick … |
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ASEAN to hold emergency meeting to discuss Myanmar crisis
All India Radio, India - The ministers would be hoping that the Myanmar’s who has blocked all but a fraction of foreign aid offered so far, might accept help from Asian countries. … |
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High-ranking foreign officials look into Myanmar cyclone relief works
Xinhua, China - Both of the two high-ranking foreign officials, who arrived in the biggest city of Myanmar on Sunday, met with Myanmar Minister of National Planning and … |
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Myanmar to offer disaster zone tour to 29 nations
Antara, Indonesia - Tokyo (ANTARA News/afp) – Myanmar plans to allow officials from 29 nations to visit cyclone-hit areas in an effort to ease criticism of relief operations, … |
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA -
By Reuters YANGON — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will travel to Myanmar this week to try to speed up troubled cyclone relief, his spokeswoman said …
Manila Standard Today, Philippines -
Rita Linda V. Jimeno By the day, the number of dead in cyclone-hit Burma (re-named Myanmar by the military regime) increases. …
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LDS Church finds way to help cyclone victims in Myanmar
ABC 4, Salt Lake City - SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Humanitarian aid has had a difficult time reaching more than a million homeless people Myanmar after the devastating cyclone … |
Lanka Business Online, Sri Lanka -
The loss of tens of thousands of lives in Burma (Myanmar) in our region’s largest human disaster since the 2004 tsunami (I no longer call these events …
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UN leaders given access to Myanmar cyclone zone
The Associated Press - … British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he believes the rulers of Myanmar — also known as Burma … |
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Special moments for these special people
Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates - He fled Burma (Myanmar) after losing his land and home to come to Dubai via Pakistan on a Bangladeshi passport. He’s worked hard nearly every day of those … |
The Oregonian – OregonLive.com, OR -
I have never quite understood, and it is my ignorance, why non-profits like Mercy Corps have to spend a great deal of their acquired ‘gifts’ in foreign …
TeleText, UK -
Britons’ donations to the Cyclone Nargis crisis fund have topped £8m as hopes rise that Burma could soon open up to more foreign aid. …
Xinhua, China -
SINGAPORE, May 19 (Xinhua) — Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian nations are meeting here Monday to discuss help for cyclone-hit Myanmar. …
Monsters and Critics.com -
Although Myanmar’s military rulers have welcomed international assistance to the estimated 2.5 million people affected by Cyclone Nargis, which hit the …
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US, Burma: two disasters, one response
China Post, Taiwan - Taipei City — Living in Asia, I have been following the recent disaster in Myanmar very closely. The local news here in Taiwan has provided non-stop … |
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Myanmar general visits survivors
Aljazeera.net, Qatar - The cyclone struck southwest Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, earlier this month and the UN believes nearly 134000 people have died or are missing, … |
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Burma neighbours in cyclone talks
BBC News, UK - The Association of South East Asian Nation (Asean) is due to hold urgent talks to discuss ways of helping Burma’s cyclone victims. … |
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Thailand airport to act as Burma aid staging area
Radio Australia, Australia - Thailand has agreed Bangkok’s ageing Don Mueang Airport as a staging post for aid heading to cyclone-hit Burma. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had … |
Anderson Herald Bulletin, IN -
ANDERSON — Representatives of the Church of God in Myanmar met with Dr. Paul Maxfield, executive director of Children of Promise, in Manila to receive the …
Scoop.co.nz (press release), New Zealand -
The natural disaster in Burma has now become a “man-made catastrophe”, the Prime Minister has said. In an interview broadcast by the BBC World Service this …
guardian.co.uk, UK -
Not so Burma: 17 days after Cyclone Nargis struck the Irrawaddy delta, a senior UN envoy was still hammering on the junta’s door yesterday, pleading for …
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Glimmer of hope for Burma’s dying children as UK minister signals …
guardian.co.uk, UK - Holmes is due to tour the worst-hit areas in the Irrawaddy delta ahead of the arrival of the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, in Burma later this week to … |
Chandigarh Newsline, India -
… Lebanon, Pakistan and USA and very recently to Myanmar (Burma). Evacuation of stranded people has also been carried out on a large scale from Yemen, …
Reuters -
“But, like all turning points in Burma, the corner will have a few ‘S’ bends in it,” Malloch-Brown said in Yangon, where he saw a series of top officials. …
Myanmar’s Neighbors to Announce Cyclone Relief Plan (Update1) Bloomberg
UN leaders given access to Myanmar cyclone zone The Associated Press
High-ranking foreign officials look into Myanmar cyclone relief works Xinhua
BBC News – guardian.co.uk
all 509 news articles »
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NEWS.com.au, Australia -
“We will mandate the ASEAN Secretary General to go there to assess the situation in Myanmar (Burma) and we will listen to the Myanmar foreign minister …
Thailand airport to act as Burma aid staging area Radio Australia
Airport may be relief hub Bangkok Post
Bangkok’s old airport to be center for WFP aid to Myanmar Xinhua
Monsters and Critics.com – Nation Multimedia
all 22 news articles »
Daily Review Online, CA -
Inside, some supporters watched a video slideshow of what is left of Myanmar, also known as Burma. One of the many organizers, Ken Htun from Fremont Burmese …
Locals mobilize for Burma relief Contra Costa Times
all 10 news articles »
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New York Times, United States -
By ROSE GEORGE IT’S the rainy season in Myanmar. It’s also cholera season. When Cyclone Nargis arrived two weeks ago, the waters it unleashed destroyed …
Human Rights Watch condemns Myanmar constitutional vote Radio Australia
Monitors needed to protect Myanmar aid–rights group Inquirer.net
Human Rights Watch: Governments Should Reject Burmese Referendum … Voice of America
Human Rights Watch (press release) – Times Online
all 21 news articles »
Durham Herald Sun, NC -
The school system has welcomed about 100 refugee children who originally fled Burma — now Myanmar — and have lived in refugee camps in Thailand, …
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN -
If ever there was a clear cause for military intervention, the situation in Burma is one. The United Nations estimates that over 100000 people have died. …
Cowra Guardian, Australia -
Recent Cyclone Nargis that affected the Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar (Burma) has left unbelievable destruction in the country and over one million people …
Grafton Rotary club gives Burma aid ABC Regional Online
all 2 news articles »
Augusta Chronicle (subscription), GA -
At the hotel each day we got a USA Today newspaper, which used the name Burma. Then we heard “Myanmar, formerly called Burma” on television. …
CKCO
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -
Lord Malloch-Brown – the first British minister to visit Burma in 15 years – said: “We’re just going to have to see what negotiations in the coming days by …
Myanmar junta to open disaster area to foreign VIPs The Daily Yomiuri
Uncertainty on kin’s fate worry Burmese in Baguio City Inquirer.net
World Anger Mounts at Burmese Delays in Cyclone Disaster Deutsche Welle
Telegraph.co.uk – Telegraph.co.uk
all 519 news articles »
Burma: Cyclone updated top news (19 May 2008)
The Age |
Myanmar cyclone: Burma’s junta announces three days of mourning
Telegraph.co.uk -
By Thomas Bell, South East Asia Correspondent Burma’s generals launched a public relations offensive today, belatedly announcing three days of national mourning and arranging a fresh round of carefully stage-managed tours of the Irrawaddy Delta.
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US Official: Americans Might Be Allowed Into Burma
FOXNews
Burma junta chief in first visit to cyclone-hit Irrawaddy ABC Online
USA Today – BBC News – Wall Street Journal – The Cutting Edge
all 545 news articles »
Monks help pick up slack for Myanmar junta’s aid efforts
 MSN India |
UN and ASEAN to meet in Yangon on cyclone relief aid
Monsters and Critics.com -
New York – High-level delegations from the United Nations and ASEAN plan to meet in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday to put more pressure on the military junta to accept international relief aid for Cyclone Nargis victims, the UN said Monday.
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US says aid has helped 100000 in Myanmar AFP
FOXNews – New York Times – Wall Street Journal – BBC News
all 459 news articles »
 Canada.com |
Hopes for Myanmar cyclone aid rise as ASEAN meets
Reuters -
By Aung Hla Tun YANGON, May 19 (Reuters) – Hopes turned to a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Monday for a breakthrough in speeding up aid flows to the millions of desperate cyclone survivors in Myanmar.
Burma neighbours in cyclone talks BBC News
Myanmar’s Neighbors in Asean to Announce Cyclone Relief Plan Bloomberg
Times Online – Voice of America – International Herald Tribune – AFP
all 473 news articles »
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Myanmar leader makes first visit to relief camp
AP – Sun May 18, 4:24 PM ET
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U.N. envoy presses Myanmar on relief
Fears mount that starvation could kill thousands
