Burma

06/17/2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry today sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to express his grave concerns over the Burmese military junta’s restricting foreign aid to millions devastated by the recent cyclone, and to ask whether the junta’s actions may constitute “crimes against humanity” under international law. Kerry has requested a legal opinion from the State Department.    » read more »

09 June 2008 -- U.N. helicopters are delivering aid to Burma's Irrawaddy Delta Monday for the first time, bringing supplies to people struggling to survive since Cyclone Nargis devastated the region May 3.

A World Food Program spokesman said boats have been delivering some aid to villages cut off by flooding, but helicopters are much more efficient.

Cyclone Nargis damage, Burma: Photo by Ground Report (CC)

He said the U.N. is sending four more helicopters to Burma this week, bringing the total to 10.    » read more »

The Red Cross says Cyclone Nargis may have affected as many as 2.5 million people in Burma, and international groups say the death toll could end up being more than 100,000.

Burma raised its official death toll last week to 38,000, as weather organizations predicted more heavy rain that could make flooding in the country's agricultural belt even worse.

Burmese refugees in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis: Photo by TZA (CC)

The cyclone hit over two weeks ago, devastating Burma's Irrawaddy delta.

The United Nations says lack of emergency aid could contribute to famine and disease that would send the death toll even higher.    » read more »

Burmese Military Should Not Be Relied Upon

New York, May 14, 2008 – Countries delivering relief aid to Burma should insist on monitoring to ensure aid reaches the cyclone victims most in need and to prevent the military government from seizing it, Human Rights Watch said today. Simply dropping aid off at Rangoon airport under the control of the abusive and ill-equipped Burmese military will not necessarily help victims of the cyclone.

Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Burma: Photo by Ground Report (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 – The U.S. military has flown nearly 100 tons of humanitarian relief supplies into Burma to assist its cyclone-stricken people, a senior Pentagon official said here today.

Today, five more plane loads of relief supplies were delivered by U.S. military aircraft as part of Joint Task Force Caring Response, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

Burma briefing: U.S. Pacific Commander Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, others hold briefing before flight with Cyclone Nargis relief supplies leaves for Burma. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Arndt    » read more »

5/12/2008 -- As the humanitarian situation in Burma continues to deteriorate, it is critical that the United States and the international community do everything possible to get humanitarian assistance into the country to save lives.

The Burmese junta has blocked international efforts, prevented humanitarian workers from distributing assistance, and insisted that the junta control aid distribution itself.

Burmese children: Photo by Gusjer (CC)    » read more »

12 May 2008 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is frustrated by the Burmese government's handling of the humanitarian crisis in the cyclone-devastated country. He is urging the military government to increase access for international relief efforts, warning that further delays could set the country back years.

Mr. Ban expressed his frustration with the pace of relief efforts in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

"Today is the 11th day since Typhoon Nargis hit Myanmar," he said. "I want to register my deep concern and immense frustration at the unacceptably slow response to this grave humanitarian crisis."    » read more »

India, ASEAN Also Need to Push Generals to Accept International Help

New York, May 10, 2008 – China, India, Thailand and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should work to convince Burma’s government to lift restrictions on international assistance so aid can reach survivors of Cyclone Nargis, Human Rights Watch said today.

Residents work with cleanup in aftermath of Cyclone Nargis: Photo by Mohd Nor Azmil Abdul Rahman (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON -- May 11, 2008 — Today, a commercial airplane carrying the first shipment of American Red Cross relief supplies touched down in Yangon, Myanmar, to assist survivors of cyclone Nargis. This newly arrived shipment includes an initial supply of 8,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to help prevent the spread of malaria.

Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Burma: Photo by Mohd Nor Azmil Abdul Rahman (CC)    » read more »

ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea , May 11, 2008 – Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group are preparing for possible humanitarian assistance operations to aid cyclone-stricken Burma.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is steaming to support potential humanitarian-assistance operations in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma May 1 and 2.

Marines prepare for a humanitarian mission to Burma: Photo courtesy DOD

Some estimates have put the death toll at more than 100,000. So far, the Burmese military government has allowed only one U.S. shipment of relief supplies.    » read more »

08 May 2008 -- The U.N. Children's Fund estimates one-third of all those killed by Cyclone Nargis in Burma are children. Burmese authorities report more than 22,000 people lost their lives and more than 40,000 are still missing.

The U.N. Children's Fund says in any disaster, children suffer the most. And, the disaster, which hit Burma a few days ago, is no exception.

Deputy Director of UNICEF's Office of Emergency Programs, Pierrette Vu Thi, says children are most at risk from getting sick. During a disaster, she says children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.    » read more »

After Devastation of Cyclone, Resolution Asks that Roadblocks to Aid be Lifted, Evaluation of Aid Strategy

May 8, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate has passed a resolution introduced by Senator John Kerry and a bipartisan group of 19 Senators urging humanitarian aid to the Burmese people following the devastation of the cyclone and accompanying tidal wave.

Cyclone Nargis, Burma: Photo by Mohd Nor Azmil Abdul Rahman (CC)    » read more »

7 May 2008 -- The senior U.S. diplomat in Burma said Wednesday the death toll from the cyclone that hit the southeast Asian country late last week could exceed 100,000. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meawnhile says the United States is trying to mobilize countries in the region to press the Burmese government to admit more aid workers and supplies.

Typhoon Nargis prior to making landfall in Burma: NASA photo

The top U.S. diplomat in Burma says the situation in the stricken areas of the country is sounding more and more horrendous as reports of damage and casualties trickle in. She says when the final death toll emerges, there could be well over 100,000 fatalities.    » read more »

5/5/2008 -- The cyclone that hit Burma over the weekend is one of the worst natural disasters since the Asian tsunami of 2004. It appears that many thousands have been killed and countless others are missing or otherwise hurt by the cyclone. My heart goes out to the victims of this horrible natural disaster and I hope the United States and the international community will respond to the needs of the Burmese people, who have suffered so much over the years.

Burma cyclone, May 2008: Photo by Mohd Nor Azmil Abdul Rahman (CC)    » read more »

Leader of Burma’s Democratic Movement; Feinstein-McConnell bill has bipartisan support of 73 other senators

February 13, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) today introduced a measure to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma’s democratic movement and Nobel Peace Laureate. The bill has the bipartisan support of 73 other senators.    » read more »