Tropical Cyclone Nargis has devastated entire regions in Burma. The widely reported figure of 350 dead has now been shown to be a wildly ‘optimistic’ early count. In Bogalay township alone more than 10,000 are now believed to have perished, and nationwide estimates are now at 22,000 and rising. The United Nations says that hundreds of thousands of survivors are in immediate need of clean water, food, and shelter. Not to mention medical care. The Asian Human Rights Commission says that Burma’s neighbors need to step up to the plate and help out: now.
Democratic Voice for Burma (DVB) has a lot of continually updated news, and those interested in keeping up in detail are urged to check there, in addition to the normal sites: New Mandala, Danny Fisher’s page, and of course, Rule of Lords. Rule of Lords posted some eyewitness reports which may be of interest. Al Jazeera as usual has regular, updated English-language reporting which is quite excellent.
Locals, as always, are doing their best: including the monks, in this photo (also ganked from Al Jazeera). But it won’t be enough; the rest of the world – including but not limited to Burma’s neighbors, must get in there now to prevent an even greater catastrophe.
I would love to see the rebel groups passing out food, water, and medical aid. Purhaps they should contact the relief groups and aid groups to see what they can do. If we all work together we can show the world who the good guys are. Help your fellow man.