Dynamite
06-05-2008, 11:04 AM
ABOUT 15,000 people have been confirmed dead after Burma was struck by 120mph Cyclone Nargis.
ABOUT 15,000 people have been confirmed dead after Burma was struck by 120mph Cyclone Nargis.
Today, charity workers will start distributing aid supplies to thousands of people stranded.
Save the Children is set to hand out two metric tonnes of food and other supplies to those affected in Rangoon.
James East, of the charity World Vision, said: �People are saying this is worse than the Tsunami. It’s like a war zone. The number of dead is just staggering.�
Speaking from Bangkok, Thailand, he added: �Water is running out. The government has asked us to supply water purification tablets and units. We want to do that as soon as possible. The children are the most vulnerable.�
Britain last night urged the country’s brutal generals not to block the efforts of aid agencies ready to help those needing shelter and water.
The military junta is insisting helpers must hold hard-to-get travel permits and be escorted at all times.
Five regions of the Asian nation have been declared disaster zones, leaving hundreds of thousands with nothing.
Last night the Department for International Development said: "We stand ready to send humanitarian staff."
The UK gives £40million a year to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund — making it the largest donor. Britain also gives long-term humanitarian assistance to the impoverished country.
America’s first lady Laura Bush claimed Burma’s leaders contributed to the death toll.
She said: "Although they were aware of the threat, state-run media failed to issue a warning to citizens in the storm’s path. The junta failed to meet its people’s basic needs."
The cyclone devastated key city Rangoon — where up to 100,000 were made homeless, electricity was cut off and clean water was scarce.
Save the Children said 50,000 people crammed into schools and churches in just three townships.
Inside the city’s notorious Insein jail troops shot dead 36 prisoners and wounded 70 in a riot triggered by the weather.
The food-rich Irrawaddy region — known as Burma’s rice basket — was also brought to its knees.
Most buildings in the towns of Bogalay and Laputta on the delta were flattened when the storm hit on Saturday. Residents complained leaders were slow to help. One said: "Where are they? They were very quick and aggressive during protests last year."
The mostly Buddhist country, once part of the British Empire, has an appalling record on human rights under the generals.
Mercy flights have now been organised by Thailand and Malaysia and the Red Cross is already delivering aid. Save the Children distribute two tons of supplies today. The US has given £125,000.
Link (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/expats/expats_news/article1129200.ece)
ABOUT 15,000 people have been confirmed dead after Burma was struck by 120mph Cyclone Nargis.
Today, charity workers will start distributing aid supplies to thousands of people stranded.
Save the Children is set to hand out two metric tonnes of food and other supplies to those affected in Rangoon.
James East, of the charity World Vision, said: �People are saying this is worse than the Tsunami. It’s like a war zone. The number of dead is just staggering.�
Speaking from Bangkok, Thailand, he added: �Water is running out. The government has asked us to supply water purification tablets and units. We want to do that as soon as possible. The children are the most vulnerable.�
Britain last night urged the country’s brutal generals not to block the efforts of aid agencies ready to help those needing shelter and water.
The military junta is insisting helpers must hold hard-to-get travel permits and be escorted at all times.
Five regions of the Asian nation have been declared disaster zones, leaving hundreds of thousands with nothing.
Last night the Department for International Development said: "We stand ready to send humanitarian staff."
The UK gives £40million a year to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund — making it the largest donor. Britain also gives long-term humanitarian assistance to the impoverished country.
America’s first lady Laura Bush claimed Burma’s leaders contributed to the death toll.
She said: "Although they were aware of the threat, state-run media failed to issue a warning to citizens in the storm’s path. The junta failed to meet its people’s basic needs."
The cyclone devastated key city Rangoon — where up to 100,000 were made homeless, electricity was cut off and clean water was scarce.
Save the Children said 50,000 people crammed into schools and churches in just three townships.
Inside the city’s notorious Insein jail troops shot dead 36 prisoners and wounded 70 in a riot triggered by the weather.
The food-rich Irrawaddy region — known as Burma’s rice basket — was also brought to its knees.
Most buildings in the towns of Bogalay and Laputta on the delta were flattened when the storm hit on Saturday. Residents complained leaders were slow to help. One said: "Where are they? They were very quick and aggressive during protests last year."
The mostly Buddhist country, once part of the British Empire, has an appalling record on human rights under the generals.
Mercy flights have now been organised by Thailand and Malaysia and the Red Cross is already delivering aid. Save the Children distribute two tons of supplies today. The US has given £125,000.
Link (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/expats/expats_news/article1129200.ece)