The U.S.-based rights group said Wednesday that aid efforts in Burma should be monitored by an independent body co-managed by donors and the United Nations. It says such a body would boost the transparency and accountability of the aid process.
The group says that since the cyclone struck in May, Burmese leaders have restricted travel by foreign aid workers and arrested some locals involved in relief efforts.
Human Rights Watch says international donors should pressure Burma to adhere to basic principles on the provision of aid.
--Read More: here
Showing posts with label arrested. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arrested. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Families still waiting for news of detained relatives - Zarganar
The families of Zarganar, Zaw Thet Htway and others involved in voluntary aid work for cyclone victims who were arrested by Burmese authorities say they are still waiting for information on their relatives.
--Read More: here
--Read More: here
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Reporter arrested for covering cyclone news
A woman journalist covering Cyclone Nargis victims asking for aid from international NGOs in Rangoon has been detained by for over two weeks, according to her publication.
Eint Khaing Oo (24) from 'Ecovision' weekly journal was arrested on 10 June while she was covering cyclone victims going to INGOs and asking for aid, an official from 'Ecovision' who wished not to be named said.
Eint Khaing Oo joined the publication two months ago. She is in custody at Tamwe police station and will be produced before the Tamwe Township court on Wednesday.
--Read More: here
Eint Khaing Oo (24) from 'Ecovision' weekly journal was arrested on 10 June while she was covering cyclone victims going to INGOs and asking for aid, an official from 'Ecovision' who wished not to be named said.
Eint Khaing Oo joined the publication two months ago. She is in custody at Tamwe police station and will be produced before the Tamwe Township court on Wednesday.
--Read More: here
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
ABFSU aid workers remain in detention
The ABFSU said seven of its members, including group leaders Ko Linn Htet Naing and Ma Hnin Pwint Wei, were among the group of 19 people arrested in Bogalay township's Thukhawady village while collecting bodies of cyclone victims.
--Read More: here
--Read More: here
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Volunteers burying storm victims arrested
The 'Myanmar Tribune' journal chief editor Aung Kyaw San and at least six of his colleagues who had buried cyclone victims in devastated areas were arrested on June 14 by the authorities.
The volunteer grave diggers of 'Myanmar Tribune', CEO Aung Kyaw San (45) and six of his colleagues buried the remains of a number of cyclone victims in Bogale Township, Irrawaddy Division. They were detained last Saturday.
--Read More: here
The volunteer grave diggers of 'Myanmar Tribune', CEO Aung Kyaw San (45) and six of his colleagues buried the remains of a number of cyclone victims in Bogale Township, Irrawaddy Division. They were detained last Saturday.
--Read More: here
Regime Steps Up Crackdown on Private Cyclone Relief Efforts
Despite assurances of free access by private donors to cyclone-devastated areas of Burma, the military government continues to arrest individuals taking aid to survivors of the May 2-3 storm.
Ten donors have been arrested since the beginning of this month, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
--Read More: here
Ten donors have been arrested since the beginning of this month, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
--Read More: here
Monday, June 16, 2008
Student activists helping Nargis victims arrested
New Delhi: The Burmese military junta authorities detained at least three members of 88 Generation Students last Thursday.
Three senior members, one man and three women- Myet Thu, Yin Yin Wai and Tin Tin Cho who were into cyclone relief efforts and aid distribution were arrested while they were sitting in a teashop in Maynigone, Rangoon.
--Read More: here
Three senior members, one man and three women- Myet Thu, Yin Yin Wai and Tin Tin Cho who were into cyclone relief efforts and aid distribution were arrested while they were sitting in a teashop in Maynigone, Rangoon.
--Read More: here
Editor aiding cyclone victims arrested by Junta
The Burmese military junta continues to harass and detain people and despite odds have gone out of their way to help victims of Cyclone Nargis. In its latest instance of intolerance it arrested a journalist on Friday, who had been helping survivors.
Zaw Thet Htwe, the former editor of a weekly sports journal was arrested in his home town, Minbu, according to a close relative according to a close relative who refused to be quoted by his name.
--Read More: here
Zaw Thet Htwe, the former editor of a weekly sports journal was arrested in his home town, Minbu, according to a close relative according to a close relative who refused to be quoted by his name.
--Read More: here
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Myanmar regime assess needs of cyclone survivors
YANGON - A MAJOR operation has been launched to assess the needs of Myanmar's storm survivors in a sign the military regime is finally cooperating in international aid efforts five weeks after Cyclone Nargis buffeted the country.
However, Tuesday's positive development contrasted with reports that 18 cyclone victims - women and children - on their way to the United Nations office to plead for help were arrested in the commercial capital, Yangon.
--Read More: here
However, Tuesday's positive development contrasted with reports that 18 cyclone victims - women and children - on their way to the United Nations office to plead for help were arrested in the commercial capital, Yangon.
--Read More: here
Monday, June 2, 2008
Enough is enough
Asean must isolate the Burmese junta or be accused of complicity in the hell that Than Shwe and his junta have unleashed in Burma.
Buddhist monks beaten; a government minister directing the head of the meteorology department not to issue a public warning after India gave them a 48-hour advance warning of impending disaster; Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest extended by a year _ all heinous atrocities.
--Read More: here
Buddhist monks beaten; a government minister directing the head of the meteorology department not to issue a public warning after India gave them a 48-hour advance warning of impending disaster; Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest extended by a year _ all heinous atrocities.
--Read More: here
Friday, May 23, 2008
UN Chief Meets Myanmar Junta Leader
UN Chief Meets Myanmar's Key Decision Maker After Touring Cyclone-Hit Delta
By JOHN HEILPRIN
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on a mission to open Myanmar to international disaster assistance, said the ruling junta agreed Friday to allow "all aid workers" into the country to help cyclone survivors.
Ban's comments came after a crucial two-hour meeting Friday with the junta leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, the country's most powerful figure. Myanmar's junta has until now refused to allow an influx of foreign aid and experts to reach survivors of the May 2-3 Cyclone Nargis.
The United Nations chief did not say whether Than Shwe had acceded to the most urgent request by international aid agencies — to allow their foreign experts into the hardest-hit region, the Irrawaddy delta.
However, when asked if he thought the agreement was a breakthrough, Ban told reporters: "I think so."
A senior U.N. official present at the meeting said Than Shwe also gave the green light for foreigners to work in the hardest-hit region, the Irrawaddy delta, which has been virtually off-limits to them.
Ban "saw no reason why that should not happen, as long as they are genuine humanitarian workers and it was clear as to what they were going to be doing," said the official, who requested anonymity for reasons of protocol. "We've got to turn that into reality now."
Myanmar's military government has until now refused to allow an unimpeded influx of foreign aid and experts to reach survivors of the May 2-3 Cyclone Nargis. While granting an increasing number of visas to foreign staffers, the regime barre2d all but a handful of them from the delta.
Myanmar's military regime has been eager to show it has the relief effort under control despite spurning the help of foreign disaster experts and has trotted out officials to give statistics-laden lectures to make the point.
At least 78,000 people were killed and another 56,000 are missing while some 2.5 million survivors are at risk from disease, starvation and exposure to monsoon rains.
"I had a very good meeting with Senior General Than Shwe and particularly on the aid workers. He has agreed to allow all the aid workers, regardless of nationality" into the country, Ban said.
Although the regime has been granting an increasing number of visas for foreign aid workers to enter the country, all but a handful have been confined to Yangon, the country's largest city.
"I urged him that it would be crucially important for him to allow aid workers as swiftly as possible and all these aid relief items also be delivered to the needy people as soon as possible," Ban said.
Than Shwe also agreed to make Yangon the logistics hub of the aid operation, which Ban called "an important development," Ban said.
Ban arrived at the remote capital of Naypyitaw earlier Friday after a flight from Yangon, 250 miles to the south. He witnessed some of the cyclone's devastation during a carefully choreographed tour Thursday.
It was not known whether Ban discussed the fate of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose latest period of detention expires Monday. A string of U.N. envoys have in the past failed to spring the democracy icon from house arrest, confronting a junta that has proved virtually impervious to outside pressure.
The 76-year-old Than Shwe — reclusive, superstitious and known as "the bulldog" for his stubbornness — had refused to answer Ban's calls from New York or answer two letters sent to him by the secretary-general.
As Ban's visit proceeded, the regime appeared to ease some of its restrictions on foreigners.
France-based Doctors Without Borders said it now had some foreign staffers working in four areas of the hard-hit Irrawaddy delta, which had previously been virtually off limits to non-Myanmar relief workers.
A second French cargo plane loaded with 40 tons of relief supplies was due to land Friday in Yangon, while Canada said it would lend its biggest military aircraft, a C-17 cargo lifter, to deliver U.N. World Food Program helicopters to Myanmar.
The regime had earlier allowed the U.N. agency to bring in 10 helicopters to fly emergency aid to stranded victims.
Ban's firsthand look at the devastation wrought by the storm left the secretary-general shaken Thursday, even though the areas to which he was taken were far from the worst-hit.
"I'm very upset by what I've seen," Ban told reporters after a walk through a makeshift relief camp where 500 people huddled in blue tents at Kyondah village in Dedaye township, about 45 miles southwest of Yangon, Myanmar's largest city.
--Read More: AP-ABCNews
By JOHN HEILPRIN
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on a mission to open Myanmar to international disaster assistance, said the ruling junta agreed Friday to allow "all aid workers" into the country to help cyclone survivors.
Ban's comments came after a crucial two-hour meeting Friday with the junta leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, the country's most powerful figure. Myanmar's junta has until now refused to allow an influx of foreign aid and experts to reach survivors of the May 2-3 Cyclone Nargis.
The United Nations chief did not say whether Than Shwe had acceded to the most urgent request by international aid agencies — to allow their foreign experts into the hardest-hit region, the Irrawaddy delta.
However, when asked if he thought the agreement was a breakthrough, Ban told reporters: "I think so."
A senior U.N. official present at the meeting said Than Shwe also gave the green light for foreigners to work in the hardest-hit region, the Irrawaddy delta, which has been virtually off-limits to them.
Ban "saw no reason why that should not happen, as long as they are genuine humanitarian workers and it was clear as to what they were going to be doing," said the official, who requested anonymity for reasons of protocol. "We've got to turn that into reality now."
Myanmar's military government has until now refused to allow an unimpeded influx of foreign aid and experts to reach survivors of the May 2-3 Cyclone Nargis. While granting an increasing number of visas to foreign staffers, the regime barre2d all but a handful of them from the delta.
Myanmar's military regime has been eager to show it has the relief effort under control despite spurning the help of foreign disaster experts and has trotted out officials to give statistics-laden lectures to make the point.
At least 78,000 people were killed and another 56,000 are missing while some 2.5 million survivors are at risk from disease, starvation and exposure to monsoon rains.
"I had a very good meeting with Senior General Than Shwe and particularly on the aid workers. He has agreed to allow all the aid workers, regardless of nationality" into the country, Ban said.
Although the regime has been granting an increasing number of visas for foreign aid workers to enter the country, all but a handful have been confined to Yangon, the country's largest city.
"I urged him that it would be crucially important for him to allow aid workers as swiftly as possible and all these aid relief items also be delivered to the needy people as soon as possible," Ban said.
Than Shwe also agreed to make Yangon the logistics hub of the aid operation, which Ban called "an important development," Ban said.
Ban arrived at the remote capital of Naypyitaw earlier Friday after a flight from Yangon, 250 miles to the south. He witnessed some of the cyclone's devastation during a carefully choreographed tour Thursday.
It was not known whether Ban discussed the fate of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose latest period of detention expires Monday. A string of U.N. envoys have in the past failed to spring the democracy icon from house arrest, confronting a junta that has proved virtually impervious to outside pressure.
The 76-year-old Than Shwe — reclusive, superstitious and known as "the bulldog" for his stubbornness — had refused to answer Ban's calls from New York or answer two letters sent to him by the secretary-general.
As Ban's visit proceeded, the regime appeared to ease some of its restrictions on foreigners.
France-based Doctors Without Borders said it now had some foreign staffers working in four areas of the hard-hit Irrawaddy delta, which had previously been virtually off limits to non-Myanmar relief workers.
A second French cargo plane loaded with 40 tons of relief supplies was due to land Friday in Yangon, while Canada said it would lend its biggest military aircraft, a C-17 cargo lifter, to deliver U.N. World Food Program helicopters to Myanmar.
The regime had earlier allowed the U.N. agency to bring in 10 helicopters to fly emergency aid to stranded victims.
Ban's firsthand look at the devastation wrought by the storm left the secretary-general shaken Thursday, even though the areas to which he was taken were far from the worst-hit.
"I'm very upset by what I've seen," Ban told reporters after a walk through a makeshift relief camp where 500 people huddled in blue tents at Kyondah village in Dedaye township, about 45 miles southwest of Yangon, Myanmar's largest city.
--Read More: AP-ABCNews
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Traffickers target child cyclone survivors
CHILD traffickers are targeting the youngest and most vulnerable survivors of Burma's catastrophic cyclone and two suspects have already been arrested, the United Nations has reported.
The children, among up to two million people struggling to survive without enough clean water, food or shelter in the aftermath of the storm, were approached last week in Rangoon, the UN said yesterday.
"A broker came to a shelter and tried to recruit children,'' said UNICEF's chief child protection officer in Burma, Anne-Claire Dufay.
"There was an intervention. The police intervened and made arrests,'' she said.
The official death toll from Cyclone Nargis has risen to 34,273, with 27,836 people missing, state radio said today.
Ms Dufay said children who had been separated from their parents, and who were possibly orphans, were now facing the threat of violence on top of the everyday struggle to find enough food and water.
"There are concerns for children in camps,'' she said.
Katy Barnett, Save the Children's child protection adviser in Rangoon, said the organisation was aware of the report of the arrests and expected more trafficking problems as the crisis develops.
"It's something which agencies have been expecting. It's an absolute standard thing in the fallout from an emergency like this,'' Ms Barnett said.
"Traffickers can easily get hold of unaccompanied or separated children and tell them they'll lead a better life or be safe.''
Ms Barnett said another unconfirmed report of people looking in camps to recruit girls to work as domestic workers - a typical ruse for traffickers - was being investigated by a church organisation today.
"They are asking families if they would give their girls up and they haven't been stopped yet apparently,'' she said.
Burma made human trafficking illegal in September 2005, but in a report last year the US State Department listed the isolated nation as one of the world's worst offenders, along with North Korea and Laos.
Many of those involved in the trade are women and girls who face sexual exploitation after being smuggled across borders.
--Source: here
The children, among up to two million people struggling to survive without enough clean water, food or shelter in the aftermath of the storm, were approached last week in Rangoon, the UN said yesterday.
"A broker came to a shelter and tried to recruit children,'' said UNICEF's chief child protection officer in Burma, Anne-Claire Dufay.
"There was an intervention. The police intervened and made arrests,'' she said.
The official death toll from Cyclone Nargis has risen to 34,273, with 27,836 people missing, state radio said today.
Ms Dufay said children who had been separated from their parents, and who were possibly orphans, were now facing the threat of violence on top of the everyday struggle to find enough food and water.
"There are concerns for children in camps,'' she said.
Katy Barnett, Save the Children's child protection adviser in Rangoon, said the organisation was aware of the report of the arrests and expected more trafficking problems as the crisis develops.
"It's something which agencies have been expecting. It's an absolute standard thing in the fallout from an emergency like this,'' Ms Barnett said.
"Traffickers can easily get hold of unaccompanied or separated children and tell them they'll lead a better life or be safe.''
Ms Barnett said another unconfirmed report of people looking in camps to recruit girls to work as domestic workers - a typical ruse for traffickers - was being investigated by a church organisation today.
"They are asking families if they would give their girls up and they haven't been stopped yet apparently,'' she said.
Burma made human trafficking illegal in September 2005, but in a report last year the US State Department listed the isolated nation as one of the world's worst offenders, along with North Korea and Laos.
Many of those involved in the trade are women and girls who face sexual exploitation after being smuggled across borders.
--Source: here
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Burmese people demonstrated outsides Embassies in Malaysia
By Mohammad Sadek
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Kuala Lumpur: About 100 Burmese citizens together with international supporters held peaceful demonstration in front both Burmese and Royal Thai Embassies in Kualam Lumpur , Malaysia, yesterday.
The people were led by the All Burma Democratic Force (ABDF) which is an umbrella organization of different ethnic, political, socio-economic, cultural and religious groups of Burma , based in Malaysia .
The group first approached to the Burmese Embassy at 9:45am. They read out the statement for few minutes and handed over the statement to Embassy Secretary Thein Zaw.
The demonstrators condemn the sham process of Burmese regime for constitutional referendum and demanded the regime to allow international agencies to helping the cyclone victims, while urging to set free of Daw Aung Sann Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners for the welfare of Burmese people and country.
After completing their demonstration at Burmese Embassy, the demonstrators rushed to Royal Thai Embassy to protest against the supports of Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej that Aung San Suu Kyi÷Õ detention "Thailand has no problem with the prolonged house arrest in Myanmar of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi" and Burma÷Õ sham Referendum that appeared in the Voice of America (VOA News) on April 30, 2008.
The demonstrators urged upon Thailand Government to immediately repeal its supportive hands over the regime in order to settle the crises in Burma urgently.
In the memorandum, the ABDF mentioned that ø—his is the second brutal behavior of Mr. Samak on Burma issue within last two months. The first one was about the ethnic Burmese Rohingyas who are compelled to take shelter in their country that appeared in the Bangkok Post Newspaper on March 28, 2008. He tested the Burmese people blowing an air against Rohingyas and then showed his views against the will of all Burmese people as he came to dare from his first signal.
They also requested the member states of ASEAN, particularly Thailand and Malaysia to pave vital role to extend all possible assistances towards the people of Burma , especially those who are affected by the cyclone, in order to get relief from the tyranny and economic hardship. The ASEAN countries must share the burden in Burma as these countries are involved in supporting the SPDC with a view of constructive engagement.
The memorandum for the Royal Thai Government was read out by Mr. Muhammad Saifullah, a 22-years old youth leader of the ethnic Rohingyas, who has been serving in the Rohingya Youth Development Forum (RYDF) for years and gained experiences in genuine process for the democratization. Once, he served in a news agency and now actively involves in rights activities.
He has handed over the memorandum to Mr. Karin, Assistant Secretary for Political affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy at 11:00am respectively.
More than 100 police were watching the demonstrators and appraised on the role of Burmese dissidents and they could maintain a peaceful environment.
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Kuala Lumpur: About 100 Burmese citizens together with international supporters held peaceful demonstration in front both Burmese and Royal Thai Embassies in Kualam Lumpur , Malaysia, yesterday.
The people were led by the All Burma Democratic Force (ABDF) which is an umbrella organization of different ethnic, political, socio-economic, cultural and religious groups of Burma , based in Malaysia .
The group first approached to the Burmese Embassy at 9:45am. They read out the statement for few minutes and handed over the statement to Embassy Secretary Thein Zaw.
The demonstrators condemn the sham process of Burmese regime for constitutional referendum and demanded the regime to allow international agencies to helping the cyclone victims, while urging to set free of Daw Aung Sann Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners for the welfare of Burmese people and country.
After completing their demonstration at Burmese Embassy, the demonstrators rushed to Royal Thai Embassy to protest against the supports of Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej that Aung San Suu Kyi÷Õ detention "Thailand has no problem with the prolonged house arrest in Myanmar of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi" and Burma÷Õ sham Referendum that appeared in the Voice of America (VOA News) on April 30, 2008.
The demonstrators urged upon Thailand Government to immediately repeal its supportive hands over the regime in order to settle the crises in Burma urgently.
In the memorandum, the ABDF mentioned that ø—his is the second brutal behavior of Mr. Samak on Burma issue within last two months. The first one was about the ethnic Burmese Rohingyas who are compelled to take shelter in their country that appeared in the Bangkok Post Newspaper on March 28, 2008. He tested the Burmese people blowing an air against Rohingyas and then showed his views against the will of all Burmese people as he came to dare from his first signal.
They also requested the member states of ASEAN, particularly Thailand and Malaysia to pave vital role to extend all possible assistances towards the people of Burma , especially those who are affected by the cyclone, in order to get relief from the tyranny and economic hardship. The ASEAN countries must share the burden in Burma as these countries are involved in supporting the SPDC with a view of constructive engagement.
The memorandum for the Royal Thai Government was read out by Mr. Muhammad Saifullah, a 22-years old youth leader of the ethnic Rohingyas, who has been serving in the Rohingya Youth Development Forum (RYDF) for years and gained experiences in genuine process for the democratization. Once, he served in a news agency and now actively involves in rights activities.
He has handed over the memorandum to Mr. Karin, Assistant Secretary for Political affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy at 11:00am respectively.
More than 100 police were watching the demonstrators and appraised on the role of Burmese dissidents and they could maintain a peaceful environment.
Friday, May 9, 2008
NLD (L-A) News Release 2/05/2008
Situation in Insein Prison
Cyclone Nargis ripped through the Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon on Friday night with winds of 190 kilometers (120 miles) per hour.
The storm severely damaged Insein Prison in Rangoon, and many roofing sheets were torn off of Ward No. (1). Prisoners on the upper level of that ward were drenched and had no shelter or security from the storm. Therefore the prisoners peacefully asked the prison wardens and authorities to move them to a secured location or lower level of the building. However, prison authorities neglected their pleas and reprimanded them with harsh words. As a result of the neglect, prisoners started to riot. Armed prison guards from the guard towers and main jail shot the rioters. As prisoners were shot and killed, other prisoners began to set fire to the building. Military guards opened fire on prisoners again. It is reported that over 400 prisoners were shot to death.
The following day, some prisoners were interrogated and four (4) of them were tortured to death by prison authorities. These four prisoners include: Ohn Kyaw (NLD member from Dawpon Township), Thant Zaw (Hlaing Township), Win Tun Win (Insein Township), and another anonymous prisoner. It is reported that 96 prisoners from Ward No. (1) were prohibited from having their family interview (htaung winsar). According to the report, three (3) of the 1,800 prisoners in Ward (1) included: Yan Yan Chan and Zay Yar Thaw, recently arrested Hip Hop singers, and Ko Kyaw Ko Ko from All Burma Federation of Students' Union.
It is necessary to investigate this incident and take legal action against those responsible for shooting innocent prisoners in this violent crackdown on victims of Cyclone Nargis at Insein Prison.
Situation in Irrawaddy Division
Cyclone Nargis ripped through the Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon on Friday night with winds of 190 kilometers (120 miles) per hour.
The storm severely damaged Insein Prison in Rangoon, and many roofing sheets were torn off of Ward No. (1). Prisoners on the upper level of that ward were drenched and had no shelter or security from the storm. Therefore the prisoners peacefully asked the prison wardens and authorities to move them to a secured location or lower level of the building. However, prison authorities neglected their pleas and reprimanded them with harsh words. As a result of the neglect, prisoners started to riot. Armed prison guards from the guard towers and main jail shot the rioters. As prisoners were shot and killed, other prisoners began to set fire to the building. Military guards opened fire on prisoners again. It is reported that over 400 prisoners were shot to death.
The following day, some prisoners were interrogated and four (4) of them were tortured to death by prison authorities. These four prisoners include: Ohn Kyaw (NLD member from Dawpon Township), Thant Zaw (Hlaing Township), Win Tun Win (Insein Township), and another anonymous prisoner. It is reported that 96 prisoners from Ward No. (1) were prohibited from having their family interview (htaung winsar). According to the report, three (3) of the 1,800 prisoners in Ward (1) included: Yan Yan Chan and Zay Yar Thaw, recently arrested Hip Hop singers, and Ko Kyaw Ko Ko from All Burma Federation of Students' Union.
It is necessary to investigate this incident and take legal action against those responsible for shooting innocent prisoners in this violent crackdown on victims of Cyclone Nargis at Insein Prison.
Situation in Irrawaddy Division
Cyclone Nargis completely destroyed a third of all fifty-six (56) village tracks, in Laputta Township of Irrawaddy Division. The most severely damaged village tracts include Thingan Gyi, Pyinsalu, Rway, and Layyin Kwin. During the night of the storm, a 12 to 16 foot tidal wave crashed down and flooded all one-story buildings, forcing people to climb on top of buildings for survival. When severe winds blew, people were thrown into the water, branches of trees broke, and house pillars collapsed. According to an eye witness, only one of the village’s one thousand houses remained standing after the flood.
In Laputta Township, local residents report that over 80,000 people have died or remain missing, and most people still do not have access to food or drinking water. Ships collected the survivors who were sent to monasteries and pagoda compounds. Donations from Laputta Township were collected to feed people with porridge. In Bogalay, over 10,000 people died and remain missing. In Kunchan Gone Township, about 5,000 people from town and 5,000 people from the countryside, have died or remain missing.
It is necessary for the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to call for immediate international assistance and to launch relief work in affected areas as soon as possible. In so doing, it is also necessary for the relief materials and cash assistance to reach the real victims of the natural disaster in the right way.
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