Myanmar Regime Accused of Hoarding Aid
By Sarah Pollak
CBN News Reporter
May 13, 2008
CBNNews.com - Only a fraction of the international aid sent to Myanmar, also known as Burma, is actually reaching cyclone victims, the United Nations said.
Officials say the military regime is hoarding supplies for itself and handing out food that's not fit to eat.
At least 62,000 people are dead or missing 10 days after the cyclone struck.
Tales from Survivors
One cyclone survivor said that only about 100 people from her large village survived the storm.
"All our houses are gone," she said. "There's nothing left."
Many others mourn for their family members who were swept away.
The two million survivors are in danger of falling victim to deadly diseases and starvation.
"We are not reaching enough people quickly enough. We're reaching maybe a quarter, maybe a fifth of that scale. And obviously we need to scale it up very, very urgently," Richard Horsey, Spokesman of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.
Barriers to Aid
Two planeloads of food from America have made it into the country. But logistical bottlenecks, poor infrastructure and the military government's restrictions have delayed the distribution of aid.
It's piling up at the airport in Vangon
"We are very concerned that we're going to have an increase in acute malnutrition. They are not treated they will die," UNICEF's Richard Bridle said.
There is a glimmer of hope for the relatively few who have gotten aid.
A group of Myanmar orphans have enough rice to keep them fed for about a month - all thanks to an Operation Blessing International food delivery.
"It was a real privilege for Operation Blessing to help these orphans today that have endured one of the worst storms in Asian history - who are starving to death and operation blessing was able to come in and show them love," said one OB worker.
Heavy rains are forecast for the rest of the week - yet another challenge facing the survivors waiting for food, clean water, shelter and medicine.
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
