Burma risks crimes against humanity over aid
May 17, 2008
AAP : The French envoy to the United Nations has warned that Burma risks committing “crimes against humanity” in its failure to allow foreign aid in to help victims of the devastating cyclone. Read more… »
UN humanitarian chief to arrive in Myanmar on Sunday
May 17, 2008
The top United Nations relief official plans to talk directly with the authorities in Myanmar in an effort to accelerate the relief effort for victims of Cyclone Nargis which may have left more than 100,000 people dead and severely affected up to 2.5 million others. Read more… »
French Navy Ship Near Myanmar With Aid
May 17, 2008
The Associated Press : A French navy ship carrying 1,000 tons of food idled near Myanmar’s coast Saturday, awaiting permission from the uncooperative ruling military regime to dock in the cyclone-devastated Irrawaddy delta. Read more… »
Dozens of Myanmar private companies take part in restoration work
May 17, 2008
Xinhua : About 30 Myanmar private companies have been taking part in restoration work in cyclone-hit regions under the government’ post-disaster plan, according to Saturday’s leading weekly Voice. Read more… »
Death toll climbs to 78,000 in Myanmar
May 17, 2008
Associated Press : YANGON, Myanmar The official death toll nearly doubled to 78,000 from Myanmar’s killer cyclone as heavy rains on Friday lashed much of the area stricken two weeks ago, further hampering relief efforts. Read more… »
Burmese Relief Workers Bring Aid to Desperate Villagers
May 17, 2008
Irrawaddy : In an e-mailed report to a friend in Britain, a Burmese relief worker from Pagan described how his team of volunteers had to abandon an attempt to deliver medical supplies by boat to villagers in the Irrawaddy delta after the desperate people fought for the aid. Read more… »
Rights Group Warns Donors to Monitor Aid
May 17, 2008
New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged foreign donors on Friday to closely manage aid deliveries heading into cyclone-affected areas of Burma to ensure supplies are not stolen by the military authorities. Read more… »
Red Cross launches $50-mn appeal for Myanmar
May 17, 2008
BNN : The Red Cross launched an emergency appeal Friday for $50.8 million for Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis. ‘The cyclone was a monumental disaster and we are now facing a humanitarian catastrophe of staggering proportions,’ International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) secretary general Markku Niskala said. Read more… »
EU tries to persuade Myanmar to open airbase
May 17, 2008
BNN : The top aid official in the European Union, Louis Michel, has urged the military junta in Myanmar to open up an airbase and provide visas for foreign aid workers. Read more… »
Death toll in Myanmar soars above 43,000; junta warns against hoarding
May 16, 2008
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS : RANGOON, Myanmar - Myanmar’s junta warned Thursday that legal action would be taken against people who trade or hoard international aid as the cyclone’s death toll soared above 43,000. Read more… »
Storm victims arrested and driven out from shelters
May 16, 2008
DVB - Aye Nai : The police attacked and arrested a storm victim and a member of South Dagon Township National League for Democracy (NLD) member today for attempting to meet with UN officials in Rangoon. Read more… »
US pushes for helicopters to ferry Myanmar relief
May 16, 2008
Eric Talmadge - AP : The door is open. But just a crack. Myanmar’s isolationist ruling junta is now allowing U.S. military cargo planes to regularly fly relief supplies into their largest city to provide aid to cyclone survivors. Read more… »
Behind the Story in Laputta
May 16, 2008
The following is an Internet conversation between an Irrawaddy editor and an Irrawaddy correspondent in Rangoon, who had just returned from Laputta Township in the Irrawaddy delta. Read more… »
Myanmar lets ICRC deliver aid to detention centres
May 16, 2008
GENEVA, May 13 (Reuters) - Myanmar authorities have allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross to distribute food and other supplies to inmates held in three detention centres in cyclone-hit areas, the ICRC said on Tuesday. Read more… »
Up to 128,000 may have died in Myanmar
May 16, 2008
YANGON, Myanmar (Map, News) - The Red Cross estimated Wednesday that the cyclone death toll in Myanmar could be as high as 128,000 - a much larger figure than the government tally. The U.N. warned a second wave of deaths will follow unless the military regime lets in more aid quickly. Read more… »
« Previous Entries