is there a thread on the poor people of Myanmar/Burma? If not why not and what can we do but weep for the incomprehensible numbers of lives lost (22000 and rising)

[Piffle]

is there a God huh?
desperate
want to give some aid somehow but not sure about the political situation and aid getting through?
its just heartbreaking

I was thinking the same Piffle. I think I will donate to the Red cross - they are on the ground there already.

We went there on holiday about 8 years ago. Fabulous country.

is it really that high the news said about 5,000 last night.

i was just reading about it on the bbc, it's a shocking amount of people

Yes, it is a shocking amount of people. ANd they didn't disclose it for days

I know, it is very shocking, almost incomprehensible devastation

This is another aid organisation who are working on the Thai Burmese border.

We lived in Bangkok from 1990 to 1993 and knew Jack Dunford, who is now a director of TBBC and was involved in the initial set-up, very well. DH is an accountant and helped TBBC in the early years.

I know for sure that all monies get to where it is needed. However I am not sure if they are allowed in country.

some before and after pictures of the cyclone here, i haven't heard of any emergency fund raising (unlike the 2004 tsunami)

reports are that upwards of 40000 people are missing too.
unreal
will investigate aid tonight something international must be being sorted.

Red cross appeal page here.

that's something at least buda

that looks better as at least they have people on the ground in Burma.

Thanks for the Red Cross link.

it is sad how little this event seems to register internationally. Catastrophic. I can't believe so many people died.

There's been a bit on Sky News about the cyclone. But I guess with the regime in Burma being so secretive, it must be hard to get much news out. Apparently, the military, who so effectively put down the demonstrating monks last year, are nowhere to be seen now.

This could have much wider repercussions too, in that the area affected is the rice bowl of Burma and also Burma supplies Bangladesh with a great deal of its rice.

Aid workers are approximating at least 50,000 dead and between 2 - 3 MILLION homeless and in danger of starvation and disease. The death toll will easily top 100,000. Please check before you donate to charities as only a very small number of people are being granted visas by the evil government. Numerous NGOs were forced to leave previously as their funds were kept by the government and not passed onto the people they were intended for. I think the Red Cross, World Vision and World Food Programme are currently the only organisations allowed in the country and even then only a small number of people from each organisation. The government would rather let its own people die then accept desperately needed international help.

The telegraph front page has satelite before and after pictures. It is truly horrifying how much of the land mass went under water.

I really upsets me that this is not dominating the news. Aside from the extraordinary loss off life and hardship in Burma, a major rice exporter will probably have to become an importer, pushing up the price of rice still further, devastating for those who depend on it.

the us army are begging to be let in to help.
I'm not keen on the US but in this case FGS let the professional in.
I know the Junta can be very organised and keep control. They should be good in these situations but they are only as good as the orders they get.

Just horrific
FGS even Iran let in western help really quickly after the Bam quake.

Just want to weep with fear and shame that I am sat here with all this and they have nothing
I actually feel like selling up and flying out to help them.
Am that enraged at so little being done.
Pointless I know but can barely sleep for the unjust nature of the world

horrific.

"the us army are begging to be let in to help." Are you sure? Maybe after seeing how the Iraqis are being helped, and how nearby countries like Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia were helped by the US army, the Burmese are understandably reluctant to agree to that.

The military government in Myanmar is accepting aid. I don't think this is the time for political grandstanding against them.

And just thinking back - didn't the US reject offers of foreign aid to the Katrina victims, though they were desperately in need?

only going on what I saw from Ch4 news
it appeared like genuine offer for help
I think they are not in a position to refuse personally, the country is beyond devastated
But it is about political matters because of where it is and the regime there.
Sadly very sadly.
A few helicopters dropping targetted aid to outlying areas would make difference

the US are utter shits internationally, but if i were a survivor in Myanmar id be pretty keen to get any help from anywhere right about now.

A truly awful situation

Hav just listened to news on radio1 and bbc managed to get a reporter in there but it sounds a dire place to be. I cannot understand any government that would not allow aid into a country so desperate despite any political situation

According to the little news I've been able to see here Burma will allow the aid in but is reluctant to issue visas to the logistics folk who can distribute it efficiently.

A cruel act of nature is bad enough (although there is concern that the loss of mangrove swamp allowed the tidal surge to penetrate further inland than it should have) but to have it exacerbated by human failing is just terrible.

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