The unsung heros of Burma's cyclone relief effort

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The unsung heros of Burma's cyclone relief effort

June 10th, 2008 by Rebecca Henschke

Cyclone Nargis killed more than 100,000 people but the junta’s delay in allowing in international aid condemned many more thousands to malnutrition, disease and in some cases death.

In the absence of international aid groups ordinary Burmese, monks and students tried to do what they could.

Our correspondent, King Kong Janoi travel to the affected areas two weeks after the disaster and produced this three parts series.

Untold story of Burma’s relief effort

Tuesday, 10 June 2008 17:06 King Kong Janoi

Burma’s state-run media has strongly condemned media reports of the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis.

An article in a state daily accused “self-seekers” of faking video footage of the destruction - and foreign media of using it to harm Burma’s image.

Reports that survivors were living in dire conditions in the Irrawaddy Delta were exaggerated, it said.

The reality our Correspondent King Kong Janoi has seen and heard is very different.

Burma Junta Arrests Local Aid Workers for Handing out Food

Tuesday, 10 June 2008 15:55 King Kong Janoi

The military junta has finally approved all pending visas for UN staff more than three weeks after Cyclone Nargis.

More foreign relief workers from other groups are also being permitted to enter the Irrawaddy Delta.

The UN estimates that more than two million people still need aid.

And as our correspondent King Kong Janoi reveals local relief workers are being arrested by the military for handing out aid.

Burma Cyclone – Victims Tales

Tuesday, 10 June 2008 15:20 King Kong Janoi

Nearly three weeks after Cyclone Nargis killed more than 100,000 people, the junta’s refusal to open the country to international aid help is condemning many more thousands to malnutrition, disease and, unless something is done quickly, death.

The generals have now grudgingly agreed to allow their Asian neighbors to oversee distribution of foreign relief and granted the United Nations World Food Program permission to fly nine helicopters.

Given the horrifying size and complexity of the disaster, that’s not nearly enough.

Our correspondent King Kong Janoi reports from the affected areas in Burma.

AsiaCalling

The unsung heros of Burma's cyclone relief effort

Untold story of Burma’s relief effort

Burma Junta Arrests Local Aid Workers for Handing out Food

Burma Cyclone – Victims Tales

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