United States Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Kahlilzad on Myanmar (1:24)

 

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During a press briefing at the Pentagon, Defense Department spokesman Goeff Morrell gives an update on U.S. aid to Myanmar. (0:42)

 

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UN Aid to Myanmar by the numbers
* There are 30-40 aid flights a day plus commercial flights being donated by companies such as Thai airlines.
* 700 tons of rice and high energy biscuits are enough to feed 100,000 people
* The UN goal is to have tarps for 200,000 households
*There are about 160 relief workers being allowed in from neighboring countries.
*The UN has applied for about 100-200 visas for professional staff, with the ability to train and work with workers.
*$150 million has been raised but now the amount needed has increased.
*1.6-2.5 million people will need some form of aid over the long term, the numbers on this are constantly being refined.
*Death toll is 38,000. and 27,000 missing. Those are the statistics of Myanmar not of the United Nations. It could be up to 100,000 or even higher but there is no reliable figures. There is the possibility that people have been double counted.

Myanmar/Burma briefing by John Holmes Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator

In his update briefing on the conditions and aid flights to Myanmar, Holmes said that so far the Burmese government is not allowing international workers but they have asked neighboring countries to help. Holmes said that there is still a long way to go. He said that clean water is still very important, but that in the medical supplies dehydration kits has helped to stave off a real crisis.

Holmes said that there is no detectable moving of aid for other purposes which the UN has determined by looking at markets, but Holmes said, that doesn’t mean it is not happening. He reported that the Ports are now open so large quantities of goods should be able to move soon. Myanmar is still not accepting assets such as engineering teams or helicopters said Holmes. He said that Myanmar’s national resources are not adequate. The plan, Holmes said, is to develop a logistics hub, perhaps in Thailand. (more…)

United Nations Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Michelle Montas reads a statement from the World Food Programme on the distribution of supplies and relief aid in Myanmar. (0:33)

 

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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon describes setbacks in logistical and communication attempts during the relief process. (0:31)

 

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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon describes his attempts to reach a senior Myanmar military figure. (0:48)

 

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United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes, updates the press on last week’s United Nations Flash Appeal for international assistance in Myanmar. (0:59)

 

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United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes updates the press on the UN Flash Appeal for international assistance with Myanmar, visa status for aid workers, and relief delivery.  (5:57)

 

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Regarding the severity of the Myanmar cyclone disaster, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made statements about the relief efforts, aid distribution, and behavior of the Myanmar government during a press conference today. (5:20)

 

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After a press conference with John Holmes and Ban Ki-moon, Dan Patterson gives a video update on Myanmar.

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