Deadly Cyclone Intensifies Burmese Struggle
Cyclone Nargis hit Burma this past weekend, killing over 22,500 people, destroying houses, uprooting tress, and cutting off electricity and communication—the deadliest natural disaster since the tsunami in 2004 that took the lives of thousands and devastated parts of Southeast Asia. More than 41,000 Burmese are still missing, an estimated 1 million people are homeless, and many others are struggling to find safe drinking water and food. In some low lying communities along the delta 95 percent of the population lost homes. Severe flooding and mudslides are hindering recovery efforts and threatening to cause further destruction. Governments and international organizations have pledged aid and are waiting for approval from the Burmese military regime to enter the country and deliver supplies. Communities need immediate access to food, water, and shelter to ward off an outbreak of disease, and further deaths.
This disaster comes while the people of Burma continue to struggle to meet basic needs under a military dictatorship and crumbling public infrastructure. High fuel prices and rice prices that have increased over 70 percent in the last year are forcing some communities in the oppressed ethnic areas to the brink of starvation. People continue to flee to neighboring Thailand and other countries simply to survive.
Global Goods Partners continues to support our partners along the Thailand-Burma border as they struggle for basic human rights and social justice.
For more information on the cyclone and the relief effort, visit www.irrawaddy.org
A complete list of resources on Burma is available here
For people interested in donating to relief efforts, GGP, in consultation with its colleagues in the field recommends directing donations to the following organizations. These organizations have links to people already on the ground in Burma who are able to provide immediate assistance.
US Campaign for Burma.Your donation can be earmarked for cyclone relief efforts.
Avaaz is directing aid to Burmese monks who are providing food and shelter to people in need.
