Deaths in Myanmar cyclone may top 100,000

[Shoelace]

this is totally heartbreaking!!!


WASHINGTON, May 7 (AP) - (Kyodo)—(EDS: ADDING QUOTES, DETAILS)
The death toll from the cyclone that devastated the Irrawaddy delta in Myanmar last weekend may exceed 100,000, the top U.S. diplomat in the nation said Wednesday.

"The information that we're receiving indicates that there may well be over 100,000 deaths in the delta area," said Shari Villarosa, the charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar. She spoke with reporters by conference call from Yangon.

The new estimate came after Myanmar's state radio reported Wednesday night that the death toll from the cyclone has risen to 22,980.

It said 42,119 people were still missing and 1,383 injured in Cyclone Nargis that tore through the country from Friday to Saturday.

The latest death toll for Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, is reported to be 679, Villarosa told reporters. The majority of causalities come from the Irrawaddy delta, which produces the majority of Myanmar's rice and fish.

The top U.S. diplomat in Myanmar described the situation in the delta, where 95 percent of the buildings have been destroyed and supplies of food and drinkable water are close to running out, as "more and more horrendous."

International aid started to trickle into Myanmar on Tuesday as the World Food Program distributed aid supplies in Yangon and other places. The country's military junta has also dropped food and water to the stricken people of the Irrawaddy delta.

A plane from Thailand and a plane from India, carrying disaster aid has also been let in, Villarosa said, but added, "Some assistance is getting in, but it is not nearly enough for all the people in need."

A U.N. department in charge of humanitarian assistance said Wednesday Myanmar has expressed its intention to accept a U.N. plane carrying aid supplies for cyclone victims.

But the junta has yet to issue visas for five U.N. staffers waiting in Bangkok for entry into Myanmar, a press officer of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D90H1GO83&show_article=1&catnum=0

[marshall]

1. They don't want outsiders' interference

Unfortunately (for them) we've got to respect their wishes and let them run their own business.

[Shoelace]

5. weird karma for that country

where the people have to suffer now. They said it didn't take any time at all for the junta to kill hundreds of monks but now they aren't there for their own people. Shades of Katrina?

[Telly Savalas]

9. Who's they?

The thousands of people who desperately need help, or the military government?

[malaise]

2. Mind blowing

The 12ft tidal wave killed most of the people. How sad.

[Shoelace]

3. I'd bet that was more than a 12 ft. storm surge, remember Katrina?

when they said it was a 15 ft. storm surge when in reality it was more like 30+ ft.?

They underplay these numbers so as not to scare people about global climate change, cyclones, hurricanes, and what comes with them.

[malaise]

7. No there was a report on GEM$NBC

saying it was confirmed that there was a 12ft tidal wave.

What a massive tragedy.

[Shoelace]

10. yes, it's hard to imagine the hardship those people suffer now

but you see I've lived long enough to doubt or should I say, not believe the media anymore, esp. cable news stations. However, that area of the country is apparently so flat that even a 12 ft. tidal surge can do the job.

Am hoping the military junta will end it's control after this tragedy.

[Fox Mulder]

4. That is awful.

How heartbreaking. :(

[uppityperson]

6. k&r with a request. IF you donate to Red Cross, make sure it is International Red Cross.

NOT the US red cross. That way there is much greater chance the money will actually help those in need.

Edited to add bit about Mercy Corps
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/289513/121019870642.htm
Mercy Corps and other international aid organizations are finding it difficult to get permission to enter the country to help survivors. Adequate responses to disasters of this magnitude usually require external resources and expertise.

Mercy Corps is not registered to work in Myanmar, but has worked with organizations on the ground there in the past year.

HOW TO HELP: Mercy Corps Myanmar Cyclone Fund Dept NR PO Box 2669 Portland, OR 97208 www.mercycorps.org 1-800-852-2100

About Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1.5 billion in assistance to people in 106 nations. Supported by headquarters offices in North America and Europe, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach nearly 16.4 million people in more than 35 countries.

[applegrove]

8. Very sad.