13 May 2008
To add insult to injury, the repressive military government is not allowing prominent persons in Myanmar to help their fellow citizens. The military wants to be seen as the only ones giving aid. A well known Burmese movie star was stopped while handing out bags of rice. There were some token relief efforts by wealthy citizens who were allowed to distribute sweets and instant noodles to destitute people lining the roads near Yangon. otherwise, no one has been allowed to give directly to the people. All assistance must be channeled through the military so it’s just not Western governments and outside relief agencies that are forbidden to help. While this repression continues, thousands of people continue to die.
Rice given out by the military is moldy and rotten while they keep good rice donations for themselves. That’s corruption at it’s highest level. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had delivered good rice to the local military leaders last week but they kept it for themselves. The junta was still permitting only a few planeloads of supplies to land and was refusing to grant visas to most foreign aid workers but yesterday they allowed the U.S. to fly in a plane load of water, mosquito netting, blankets, and other relief supplies. The junta is still permitting only a few planeloads of supplies to land and was refusing to grant visas to most foreign aid workers. So far the volume of aid allowed by the Myanmar junta into the country amounted to one-tenth of what was needed. Some donated aid items are being sold to the people by the military. Prices in local stores have doubled and tripled. Two more U.S. Air Force planes are expected to arrive in Myanmar today with more humanitarian supplies.
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