 |
A catastrophic cyclone struck Burma, killing hundreds of thousands, destroying thousands of homes and knocking out power across the land. Cyclone Nargis made landfall in the country, officially known as Myanmar, on May 2, 2008 and caused massive destruction.
(above image provided by: NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response team.)
Nargis is the deadliest named cyclone in the North Indian Ocean Basin and the 8th deadliest cyclone of all time. Deaths are still being counted with more than 100,000 as of May 21st.
So far, the Burmese government continues to prevent foreign humanitarian aid of any kind. The Burmese authorities have done little to help the victims.
President Bush has publicly denounced Burma's military response to the aftermath. The Asia director of Human Rights Watch stated, "It's long past the time for high-level visits and meetings that end in empty promises while the cyclone victims suffer."
The United Nations has reported that its agencies have only been able to reach about 25 percent of the population affected by the cyclone. The Burmese government continues to be reluctant to accept aid and remains highly secretive.
Help the Children is planning to join the relief efforts. The organization's president, Roger Presgrove, is determined to help the people of Burma.
|
|
