Locals picking up relief in Myanmar

Posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 5:00 PM by Lonely Planet

Cyclone Nargis, which tore across southern Myanmar's delta region last week and left (per a UN estimate) one million in need of aid, could hardly have found a nation less prepared to deal with such a disaster. Even before the storm, groups like Refugees International, were calling the situation a 'humanitarian crisis.' Of the world's poorest 50 nations, Myanmar is last in terms of per-person aid - about US$3 compared to an average of US$58.

The political obstacle courses that followed have been heart-breaking to see. While bodies floated in rivers and flooded fields, the Myanmar generals denied visas from aid groups (a week later only 34 of 100 UN applicants had been approved, according to a New York Times article), the frustrated UN briefly discontinued support, and the first Red Cross boat carrying aid into the wrecked delta area sank. The first US planes carrying supplies - made available the day after the storm (far quicker time than during the Katrina fiasco, it must be said) - were only allowed to land in Yangon a week later, after a previously scheduled referendum vote took place on Saturday. Apparently absent from the discussions as potential mediators were Asean or China, both of whom have favourable relationships with the government.

Fortunately many makeshift 'DIY' groups of Yangon locals didn't wait for outside help. A local friend in Yangon emailed me a few days after the cyclone, saying 'I and everyone in Yangon are not yet recovered from the shock. We were very scared.' Yet the same day, he had formed in informal group with his co-workers to get basics like rice and clean water to those who need it, quick. 'We formed a small team and help the poor area in town as much as we can, but 90% of the infrastructure is down. Roads are still blocked with big trees and lamp-posts and wire cables and big signboards.'

He's not alone in the efforts. He says he's seen other spontaneously assembled groups helping, including local NGOs and religious groups. Each day they're able to reach farther into the delta, distributing what they can: 'clean water, glucose powder and tables, biscuits, t-shirts, local sarongs and blankets, plastic sheets.'

He explains, 'We've gradually reached more remote areas as far as Latputta by boat, and Bogale, another seriously hit area.' (This is the same village that, according to a New York Times article Tuesday, that the military wouldn't allow Doctors Without Borders' officials there to hand out supplies or visit the hospital.)

Many aid organisations are accepting donations, including Medicins Sans Frontier and Australian Aid International.

- Robert Reid (author Myanmar Lonely Planet guide)

Labels: Asia and Pacific

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