AlertNet Blogs

Myanmar: Appeal for Help with Logistics

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:43:01 +0000

UNDAC has issued an urgent appeal for uplift equipment, warehousing facilities and transportation for the relief efforts in Myanmar.

Myanmar: Survivors of Cyclone Nargis

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:20:25 +0000

A week has passed since Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar. The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate: food rationing is inadequate, medical supplies are running out and hundreds of thousands are still without shelter.

Burma Cyclone provides general updates of the situation in Myanmar. Bangkok Parlour fears there will be more casualties due to cholera and other diseases:

The prognosis is bad. 65,000 dead, possibly in excess of 100,000. More than 1 million homeless, battling to stave off hunger and disease whilst living amidst debris and bloated bodies. Cholera may yet kill more than the cyclone.

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PangeaDay: Impressions from Brazil

Sun, 11 May 2008 13:45:13 +0000

The post below is a full translation of Ricardo Jordo Magalhaes live updates from PangeaDay in his BIZREVOLUTION blog. Despite having to look after his 5 month old soon, the Brazilian blogger managed to capture the emotion and poignancy of the event in a very comprehensive wrap up.

Pangea day was broadcast this Saturday, May 10 2008, and the world watched together a selection of films intercalated with live broadcast in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro. The full program is now available.

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Myanmar: UNICEF's Urgent Needs

Sun, 11 May 2008 01:37:37 +0000

UNICEF is in urgent need of 500,000 buckets for their sanitation efforts in Myanmar. Donors can contact Roberto Saltori at Bangkok. Tel +6623569237 E-Mail: rsaltori AT unicef.org.

Impartial agencies should be allowed to distribute aid

Sat, 10 May 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Imagine this: a massive cyclone sweeps up and over low-lying coastal areas, swamping homes and utterly transforming the landscape. Flooding wreaks havoc and days later whole regions remain inaccessible. The number of dead and missing rises dramatically every hour. The sheer volume of debris and destruction triggers feelings of hopelessness and despair � how to know where to start?

Then in the country's hour of need, the government reaches out for help, and the world responds. More than 60 countries offer money, goods, and expertise to help the victims of the cyclone.

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South Asia: Burma, the junta and a crisis

Fri, 09 May 2008 18:19:42 +0000

In a post titled Hell in the time of Junta, Sepia Mutiny writes about the humanitarian crisis in Burma.

Myanmar: Slow relief work

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:51:30 +0000

First, an update on the situation in Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis hit the country a few days ago. The death toll continues to rise. The official report on the number of casualties is way below international estimates. The government is still placing the number of dead people around 23,000 while international aid groups believe the figure could now reach 100,000.

Golden Colour Revolution hints the death toll could be worse:

According to an undisclosed interview with one government official, death toll is reaching 600,000 so far and 100,000 still missing. According to his figure, 180,000 were killed in Lutbutta township alone. 90,000 in Phyar Pone Township; 80,000 in Bogalay Township; 50,000 each in KywanGanKone, DayDaYae and MawKyane Township.Authorities. Army and its thugs are throwing away dead bodies to the nearby river. Even in Ye Way Cemetery in Yangon City, dead bodies are cremated in batch without proper identification. Emphasizing to Phyar Pone Township, authority declared an Emergency Act.

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HAVE YOUR SAY: Should the world help even if Myanmar doesn't want it?

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:57:00 +0000

France's foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, says the United Nations should deliver aid to cyclone-devastated Myanmar even if the military junta doesn't approve it. He argues the United Nations has a responsibility to protect people and it should be able to intervene even if that means violating national sovereignty.

But John Holmes, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, says confrontation would undermine discussions with Myanmar's government, and the European Commission has dismissed the idea.

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Singapore: Supplies to Myanmar

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:58:41 +0000

Singapore based Myanmar citizens are sending their first batch of supplies for Myanmar cyclone relief.

Syria: Americans in Iraq

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:21:27 +0000

Sugar, from Syria, links to a video featuring footage made by US soldiers in Iraq and comments: Well, its not like its the first time we hear or see such videos about those American soldiers who they say are liberating Iraq and protecting America from terrorists. Instead.all what they did, is humiliating the Iraq people and especially little innocent children.I am really speechless.