Singapore may host ASEAN meeting on Myanmar aid - report
Sun May 11, 2008

SINGAPORE, May 12 (Reuters) - Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries could meet in Singapore soon to discuss measures to boost relief and recovery efforts in cyclone-hit Myanmar, the Straits Times reported on Monday.

Myanmar has agreed to Singapore's offer to host the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the city-state and its foreign minister is expected to attend, the Singapore-based newspaper said in a report without identifying its source.

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reuters.com


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Cyclone victim says aid given only to junta supporters
Reporting by Maung Too

May 11, 2008 (DVB)—A cyclone victim in Hlaing Tharyar, Rangoon, has said people in the township are not receiving any assistance and are being driven out of public buildings by local authorities.

In an interview with DVB on Friday, the woman said there were many cyclone victims in the township, perhaps more than 10,000, but they had been forced out of buildings where they had taken shelter by local officials and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

DVB: We understand the cyclone victims were asked to move out of a building. Can you tell me where that was?

“From state high school No. 3. None of the cyclone victims received anything when rice and oil were given out. The USDA and the local authorities were handing out rice and oil, so we went there but we were not given anything. They only distributed the goods to their own people. None of the starving victims received anything. There are many people in serious trouble with many of them staying in monasteries. We are staying in a hall.”

DVB: When were the authorities distributing rice and oil?

“They have been distributing the food for the past three days.”

DVB: What about today?

“No, not today. The people who are really starving did not receive anything. The food was distributed to people in their own organisations. Only about 50 of the victims received the food distributed”.

DVB: You said only 50 of the victims received the food. How many people do you believe need it?

“Over 10,000.”

DVB: The 10,000 people you speak of, did they lose their homes in the cyclone?

“Yes, they lost everything. Some died, some lost the roofs of their homes, and some were left without shelter and are starving. Some couples have many children.”

DVB: Which ward are you from?

“Ward No. 14.”

DVB: I see, but the victims must be from different wards?

“Yes. People from all wards came to the food distribution area.”

DVB: Why did they force you away from state high school No. 3?

“They said we were not allowed to stay there any longer. The person who ordered out was U Mya Win of the USDA. We were evicted yesterday and had to go without meals in the morning. Food is only given to their people and we, who are starving, did not get anything, neither oil nor rice. We are all homeless and I have to rent a place.

“I am a cyclone victim but I have not even received a grain of rice. They said they were distributing food at 1500 hours, so I went there and they told me the distribution was in the morning. They – the USDA Office - asked me to come early the next morning and I did and they told me the distribution would only be in the evening.”

DVB: So, you want to appeal to the USDA and the local authorities to be fair in distributing food aid. The international agencies are also concerned about the assistance reaching the people. The aid, it appears, is not reaching you. So, what would you like to tell the international community about it?

“I want to tell them that food aid is not reaching us, we are in trouble because of our food, clothing and shelter difficulties, and we have nowhere to stay. We want them to help us. The other day, my niece fainted after they closed the iron gates on the people queuing for food aid and she was caught in between. We are really in trouble and that is what we want the international community to know. We want the food aid to be sent directly to the people because we do not get anything if it comes through them.”

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NLD calls for urgent international intervention
Reporting by DVB

May 11, 2008 (DVB)—The National League for Democracy has appealed to the international community to use all means available to help Burma immediately, without waiting for permission from the military regime.

In a statement read by NLD spokesperson U Thein Nyunt yesterday, the party condemned the Burmese government for obstructing the delivery of international aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis.

“The State Peace and Development Council is responsible for safeguarding as well as ensuring the longevity of the lives of the citizens of this country,” the statement said.

“Presently, the authorities are hampering and obstructing the delivery of assistance from the international community, including the United Nations. As a result, the number of deaths is growing with each passing day,” it went on.

“We, therefore, hold the SPDC responsible for the increasing number of deaths as well as for the diminishing security of lives and property in the country.”

The NLD called on the UN to take on its responsibility to protect civilians and come to the Burmese people’s aid.

“[W]e, the National League for Democracy, which is mandated by the people, once again appeal to the international community, including the United Nations, to make use of all available means immediately to send experts and humanitarian assistance and start undertaking relief and rescue missions in Burma.”

When asked by DVB if the statement was meant to be NLD's green light for humanitarian intervention in Burma, Thein Nyunt reiterated the need of the Burmese people.

“Well, people are dying and starving in the coastal areas. In urban areas, many homes are without roofs and others have collapsed, and people are living on the streets because their lives have been destroyed,” Thein Nyunt said.

“About 100,000 people were killed by the cyclone and over a million are left homeless in the coastal areas. Furthermore, secondary-effect diseases like cholera and others are about to happen.”

Thein Nyunt said the people of Burma urgently needed whatever assistance the international community could offer.

“We need to help the people and urgently need assistance from all international sources, including the United Nations and the United States Government,” he said.

“It is not only cash and kind but also expertise that is vitally needed and all forms of assistance that is given to Burma must be accepted.”

english.dvb.no


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France Backtracking on Intervention
By WAI MOE
Sunday, May 11, 2008

France appeared to be backing down Sunday on claims it would send a naval vessel carrying 1,500 tonnes of aid to Burma “without waiting any further” on permission from the Burmese authorities, after a French foreign ministry source said France would not send the ship into Burmese waters, according to a Reuters report on Sunday.

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irrawaddy.org


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