Mynamar’s reaction to the cyclone is “appalling”

The Committee on Foreign Affairs met today to discuss Myanmar in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis. Scot Marciel, deputy assistant secretary of state, criticized the Myanmar government’s handling of the disaster, saying it was “appalling.”

On May 2 a tropical cyclone hit Myanmar, which destroyed more than 95 percent of structures in some communities in the Irrawaddy Delta. The storm left 2.4 million in urgent need of assistance. The United Nations estimates cyclone-related deaths are between 78,000 and 125,000. The United States has offered assistance and the international community has responded and offered over $100 million in assistance to Myanmar. However as Marciel said, “the Myanmar regime’s response to this disaster has fallen far short of what was required. Frankly, it has been appalling.”

The Myanmar government put the priority on conducting a “deeply flawed referendum” on its draft constitution and has give very few international aid organizations visas into the country.

“The fact that the regime proceeded with the referendum in the midst of a humanitarian disaster speaks volumes to its indifference to the welfare of the Burmese people,” Marciel said.

The United States has engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts over the past two weeks in order to offer humanitarian assistance to those affected by the cyclone. As of May 19, reports indicate that supplies are going out slowly to the affected areas and only 20 percent of the 2.4 million people have received any aid. Only a quarter of the 2.4 million people had received food aid through the World Food Program and the World Health Organization has reported that an outbreak of malaria and dengue fever could occur within weeks if the people don’t get adequate aid soon.