Burma Cyclone News

Shiver me Timbers · May 7th, 2008, 23:20

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted already, after all Burma is a neighbour, and this tragedy is on a scale with the Kashmir Earthquake of 2005 it seems.

Here's the latest news:

Aid arriving in cyclone-hit Burma

capt_mahajan · May 7th, 2008, 23:23

Yes, I thought this morning, at least, that somebody would post it here, and later thought that I would.

Tragic. Wonder if the junta's figures are honest, though.

Shiver me Timbers · May 7th, 2008, 23:45

Here's an article on the situation, looking at the possible political ramifications as well.....

Tragedy and Renewal in Burma

wonderwomanusa · May 8th, 2008, 02:57

A local (Muslim) charity has just e-mailed me, asking for a donation. These people were very efficient and effective with aid to Kashmir at the time of the big quake.

PeakXV · May 8th, 2008, 08:48

It's sad for the good people of Burma that the junta are so out of touch with the rest of the world & seemingly oblivious to the 'time-to-act' seriousness of this disaster - that they feel the need (& have the balls) to scrutinize aid & 'pull rank' in this eleventh hour.

capt_mahajan · May 8th, 2008, 08:54

.. usual finger pointing. The Indian met dept. says it had warned Burma about the severity of the cyclone and when and where it was going to hit.

The Burmese junta says it broadcast warnings.

Warnings or not, the folks on the ground had no clue what to do or where to go.

In countries like Burma, and even India, individuals must know what to do in a disaster of this magnitude. Dialing 999 does not really work.

PeakXV · May 8th, 2008, 09:31

Yes - in an ideal world these people would have food & water rations or access to these necessities to survive the expected delays. But all anyone can hope for at this point is that these delays won't be unneccesarily & further delayed due to international distrust or hard feelings.

PeakXV · May 9th, 2008, 01:33

The junta are still waffling in their paranoia. Time to save as many as lives as they can - regardless of what foreign wandering eyes may see or witness in the process.

federica · May 9th, 2008, 01:39

I watched a dicussion whether other nations can "impose" their help in such a case and how

machadinha · May 9th, 2008, 01:43

<cross-posted with Federica>

I don't know. To play the devil's advocate here (and far be it from me to defend the Myanmar junta, I haven't the least intention to), I was watching some UN aid spokesman (I think it was) yesterday saying how they had these masses of aid workers ready to move, only the Burmese govt. won't let them in.

Seemed a little overly and willfully eager and naive to me. Of course they don't want them in, if I were in their position I wouldn't either. That's what you have a junta of this type for right, and it's been so for decades. As the UN of all organizations will realize full-well.

I just found it a bit too theatrical really. It was no different during the tsunami before it; very hard to get any assessment of the situation on the ground. And it is so there with any political upheavals of course.

PeakXV · May 9th, 2008, 02:02

I forgot about the 'minders' issue though. I doubt the junta would drop that regulation and thus too many foreigner's would deplete their own human resources accordingly.

machadinha · May 9th, 2008, 02:08

Sorry, you're losing me here. What are minders in this context?

PeakXV · May 9th, 2008, 02:40

Military accompaniers/spies who are assigned to keep an eye on you. If they felt the continued need for this security still trumped the urgency of the crisis then it would, admittedly, congest &/or slow down the operation to some degree I fear.

Nick-H · May 9th, 2008, 03:25

From the BBC news website just now a report indicating that the journalists have to stay undercover or the army kick them out.

Govt not interesting in letting the world know what is happening.

Maybe they want people to die?

mr_rush · May 9th, 2008, 03:53

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If you live in the US, donate here:
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If you live in Australia donate here:
https://www.redcross.org.au/Donation...eDonations.asp

May 7th, 2008, 23:20	#1
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,341	Burma Cyclone News I'm surprised this hasn't been posted already, after all Burma is a neighbour, and this tragedy is on a scale with the Kashmir Earthquake of 2005 it seems. Here's the latest news: Aid arriving in cyclone-hit Burma __________________ Europe to India Overland Andaman's Tips Pakistan Tips

May 7th, 2008, 23:23	#2
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 8,765	Yes, I thought this morning, at least, that somebody would post it here, and later thought that I would. Tragic. Wonder if the junta's figures are honest, though. __________________ . The cynic must remember that he is a spy (Epitectus) Indiamike moderating team ..ich bin ein oneliner

May 8th, 2008, 08:48	#5
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,738	It's sad for the good people of Burma that the junta are so out of touch with the rest of the world & seemingly oblivious to the 'time-to-act' seriousness of this disaster - that they feel the need (& have the balls) to scrutinize aid & 'pull rank' in this eleventh hour. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

May 9th, 2008, 01:43	#10
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,172	<cross-posted with Federica> I don't know. To play the devil's advocate here (and far be it from me to defend the Myanmar junta, I haven't the least intention to), I was watching some UN aid spokesman (I think it was) yesterday saying how they had these masses of aid workers ready to move, only the Burmese govt. won't let them in. Seemed a little overly and willfully eager and naive to me. Of course they don't want them in, if I were in their position I wouldn't either. That's what you have a junta of this type for right, and it's been so for decades. As the UN of all organizations will realize full-well. I just found it a bit too theatrical really. It was no different during the tsunami before it; very hard to get any assessment of the situation on the ground. And it is so there with any political upheavals of course. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

May 9th, 2008, 03:25	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,220	From the BBC news website just now a report indicating that the journalists have to stay undercover or the army kick them out. Govt not interesting in letting the world know what is happening. Maybe they want people to die? __________________ . IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

May 7th, 2008, 23:45	#3
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,341	Here's an article on the situation, looking at the possible political ramifications as well..... Tragedy and Renewal in Burma

May 8th, 2008, 02:57	#4
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,893	A local (Muslim) charity has just e-mailed me, asking for a donation. These people were very efficient and effective with aid to Kashmir at the time of the big quake.

May 8th, 2008, 08:54	#6
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 8,765	.. usual finger pointing. The Indian met dept. says it had warned Burma about the severity of the cyclone and when and where it was going to hit. The Burmese junta says it broadcast warnings. Warnings or not, the folks on the ground had no clue what to do or where to go. In countries like Burma, and even India, individuals must know what to do in a disaster of this magnitude. Dialing 999 does not really work.

May 8th, 2008, 09:31	#7
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,738	Yes - in an ideal world these people would have food & water rations or access to these necessities to survive the expected delays. But all anyone can hope for at this point is that these delays won't be unneccesarily & further delayed due to international distrust or hard feelings.

May 9th, 2008, 01:33	#8
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,738	The junta are still waffling in their paranoia. Time to save as many as lives as they can - regardless of what foreign wandering eyes may see or witness in the process.

May 9th, 2008, 01:39	#9
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 673	I watched a dicussion whether other nations can "impose" their help in such a case and how

May 9th, 2008, 02:02	#11
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,738	I forgot about the 'minders' issue though. I doubt the junta would drop that regulation and thus too many foreigner's would deplete their own human resources accordingly.

May 9th, 2008, 02:08	#12
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,172	Sorry, you're losing me here. What are minders in this context?

May 9th, 2008, 02:40	#13
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,738	Military accompaniers/spies who are assigned to keep an eye on you. If they felt the continued need for this security still trumped the urgency of the crisis then it would, admittedly, congest &/or slow down the operation to some degree I fear.

May 9th, 2008, 03:53	#15
mr_rush Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK Posts: 89	If you live in the UK, donate here: http://www.dec.org.uk/ If you live in the US, donate here: https://american.redcross.org/site/D...donation=form1 If you live in Australia donate here: https://www.redcross.org.au/Donation...eDonations.asp

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