Friday, May 23, 2008

UN Finally Cajoles Burmese Junta Into Allowing All Aid Workers Access

Chalk one up for the UN's Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon. He managed to convince the Burmese junta to finally allow foreign aid workers access to his shattered country to provide humanitarian aid to the millions of people desperately in need.

It's been more than two weeks since Hurricane Nargis slammed into his country, and more than 120,000 people were killed. The junta's refusal to allow foreign aid workers has meant more people needlessly died for lack of food, water, and sanitary conditions.

Of note, the junta was specifically worried that the US might try to overthrow the junta through its humanitarian efforts conducted by the US Navy and other military assets.
International aid groups have criticized Myanmar for letting comparatively few relief workers into the country despite the severity of the storm, which the U.N. says killed more than 130,000 and left more than 2 million homeless.

Ban said the general made the statement "in front of many senior generals," convincing him that he would keep his word. iReport.com: Send photos, videos of relief effort

Details of the decision were not immediately clear, though a government official familiar with the decision said Myanmar will not allow foreign boats or helicopters into the country.

Ban said Myanmar officials agreed to allow the Yangon airport to be used as a logistical hub for aid distribution.

Word that relief workers may finally gain access to the storm-ravaged population swirled through Bangkok, Thailand, where a small army of aid workers is waiting for permission to enter Myanmar.

"It's extremely welcome news," said Melissa Winkler, spokeswoman for the International Rescue Committee.

As a result of Myanmar's delay in opening up to aid workers, however, many storm survivors have been drinking contaminated water, Winkler told CNN.

The IRC worries that too few health professionals are in Myanmar to handle a disaster of this magnitude, raising fears about the outbreak of disease, particularly as a result of the lack of access to clean drinking water.

When an IRC team visited two remote communities a few days ago and asked people what they needed most, they requested oral rehydration kits, a surprising response that provides evidence of disease, Winkler said.

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