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US allowed into Myanmar to distribute aid
Vietnam News.Net
Monday 12th May, 2008
A US plane has delivered aid goods to Myanmar.
The plane's cargo included clean drinking water for the victims of Tropical Cyclone Nargis.
The country's military regime has said it will take care of the further distribution of the aid goods.
The US has said it would like to send more planes, but it is still waiting for permission.
The death toll in Myanmar has officially jumped to more than 28,000, with other countries criticising the ruling generals for allowing a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions.
The junta has been sharply criticized for its handling of the May 3rd disaster, from failing to provide adequate warnings about the pending storm to responding slowly to offers of help.
The few foreign relief workers who have been allowed entry into Myanmar have been restricted to the largest city of Rangoon.
The worst-affected areas have been completely neglected.
Heavy showers have been forecast for the coming week, further complicating delivery of aid.
Experts warn the death toll could go 15 times higher if people do not get clean water and sanitation soon.
Meanwhile, aid is piling up in foreign countries, awaiting approval from the junta.
Aid group World Vision said it has requested visas for 20 people and received approval for two.
The U.N. World Food Program had one approved out of the 16 it requested.
The United Nations says Myanmar needs five times the amount of food that is now being provided.
On Tuesday, the European Union will hold emergency talks on the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
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Comments on this story
ok
05-12-08, 11:14 PM |
US allowed into Myanmar to distribute aid
Thanks US.
UN, US and other Aid Agencies still need to press to allow international aid workers to coordinate distribution of aid materials. I am sure at least 50% of donated goods will go into corrupted officials at various level if not monitored by outsiders.
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ok
05-12-08, 11:18 PM |
Cyclone victims in Myanmar
Burmese Junta should at least follow the step what Chniese Leaders helped their earthquakes victim. I am surprised that in this occasion they did not imitate their Masters, which they did in the suppression of democracy fughters.
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waltky
05-13-08, 05:16 AM |
Fearless W comin' through for the cyclone victims...
:cool:
US Raises Burma Relief Donations to $16 Million
12 May 2008 - The United States has delivered its first load of humanitarian supplies for victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma, and announced it is raising its relief donation to more than $16 million. A U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft landed in Burma’s main city, Rangoon, in what Washington hopes is the start of a larger effort to help cyclone victims. The Burmese government now says more than 28,400 are confirmed dead and more than 33,000 remain missing.
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The U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft left a Thai air force base in the town of Utapao loaded with pallets of bottled water, mosquito netting, and blankets - the first shipment that Burma’s military government has allowed the United States to deliver.
Burma’s government had been reluctant to accept any U.S. aid, even as thousands, perhaps millions, faced the threat of hunger and disease in the aftermath of the disaster. U.S. officials called Burma’s acceptance of the first planeload of supplies an important step in getting the country to start receiving more aid that survivors desperately need.
On the first relief flight was the top commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral Timothy Keating, who met with Burmese officials in Rangoon Monday. Upon his return to Bangkok, the admiral told reporters he had offered the full help of the U.S. military. He said 4,000 U.S. Marines in the region, along with a fleet of C-130s, and helicopters which are part of joint exercises in Thailand, are prepared to help now.
More [url:
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-05-12-voa8.cfm[/url]
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