Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - Over 15,000 dead and 30,000 missing from a natural disaster that, as the victim count continues to rise, could result “the worst tsunami ever,” some analysts say. Cyclone Nargis ripped through the south-central region of Myanmar (near the delta of the river Irrawaddy) on May 3, leaving a trail of destruction, whose damages are still being assessed. What is certain, is that entire villages have been washed out. In the meantime, emergency aid vehicles are moving with great trouble and there are also political barriers as the military regime in power in Myanmar has for now only accepted international aid from the United Nations and NGOs, placing some restrictions on the aid offered from other countries. In order to distribute aid among the people affected by the cyclone, experts are having to negotiate with the regime regarding their entrance into Burman territory.
Meanwhile, the UN agencies and other international groups are meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in order to coordinate aid efforts. The UN has indicated that the Disaster Assessment and Coordination team (UNDAC) is ready to intervene.
Also contributing to the aid effort is Caritas Internationalis, that has been trying to coordinate its efforts through Caritas Myanmar. The situation is somewhat complicated, as well, due to the lack of communication means (roads, electricity, and phone lines), many of which have been destroyed. “We hope to start to provide food, shelter, clean water and medical assistance,” said Dolores Halpin-Bachmann, Caritas emergency response team leader. “We've only been receiving sketchy reports, but they're enough to make us concerned about the humanitarian situation. We know from experience that the first few days are crucial to saving lives. We ask that the government do all it can to help aid workers respond.”
Among the other authorized humanitarian organizations are “World Vision” and “ActionAid.” “Over 75% of the houses have been destroyed. It will take days in order to reach those areas,” said Niaz Murtaza, coordinator for the Asian region of ActionAid, that is currently working in 30 towns in the area struck by Nargis.
Due to the Cyclone, the military regime in Myanmar has announced that it will postpone the referendum on the new Constitution in the areas most affected by the disaster. The vote was scheduled to take place on May 10, but will now be held May 24 in 47 districts - 7 in the south-west of the Irrawaddy delta and 40 in the areas around the former capital city of Yangon. For the first time in 20 years, the people of Myanmar have been given the chance to vote, although a plebiscite is expected on the new norms proposed by the government, as elections are scheduled to take place in 2010. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/5/2008; righe 35, parole 452)
