UN: Nearly Half of Burmese Cyclone Victims Don't Receive Aid
Jun 3, 2008 – By Lisa Schlein, VOA
Geneva -- The United Nations reports only about half
of the 2.4 million survivors of Burma's devastating Cyclone Nargis have
received assistance. But, it says that aid is generally spotty and not
enough. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.
|
|
A young boy and his family sit waiting for aid inside their
destroyed home in the Burmese village of Angu, 02 Jun 2008.
|
Just over a month ago, Burma's deadliest storm in 40 years
struck the country, killing tens of thousands of people and rendering
millions homeless. The United Nations says aid agencies have managed to reach
1.3 million victims in the worst hit parts of the Irrawaddy Delta.
Spokeswoman for the UN Organization for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Assistance, Elizabeth Byrs, describes this as
progress.
"However, with regards to the beneficiaries it is
important to note that most of these persons have been reached with
inconsistent levels of assistance," said Byrs. "For example,
assistance provided is not sustained and in some cases is well below
requirements. That is why there remains a serious lack of sufficient and
sustained humanitarian assistance."
Nevertheless, compared to the weeks following the cyclone
disaster, the humanitarian situation has improved. The Burmese military
rulers, which had rejected most offers of foreign aid, finally relented under
intense international pressure.
Relief supplies now are regularly being flown into
Rangoon. And, Byrs says it now is much easier for U.N. international staff to
go out into the field to help the victims. She says U.N. foreign workers are
granted access to these areas within 48 hours after notifying the
authorities.
But, she says the Burmese authorities do not accord the
same privilege to foreign specialists working for international and
non-governmental agencies such as the International Red Cross Federation and
Save the Children. And, this she says, is hampering the effectiveness of the
humanitarian operation.
"We would urge the government to extend this
expedited clearance to all international NGO's [non-governmental
organizations] who are working in Myanmar. Their staff is urgently required
on the ground."
|
|
People affected by cyclone Nargis wait to board boats prior to
travel back to their devastated villages in Labutta, in the southwest
Irrawaddy Delta, Burma, 03 Jun 2008.
|
Byrs says international experts have begun an important
assessment mission to the stricken area to get a clear picture of all the
needs. She says a full report will be ready toward the end of the month.
In the meantime, foreign aid groups are calling on the
Burmese authorities to stop closing cyclone relief camps. Human rights groups
have condemned the authorities for evicting displaced people from government
shelters and pushing them to go to the homes that have been swept
away.
» Send this article to a friend...
» Comments? Tell us what you think...
» More Diplomacy, Trade and Security articles...
Search Indochina Today
|
