Glenys urges international pressure to ensure aid reaches Burma cyclone victims

6th May 2008

INTERNATIONAL pressure must be exerted to force Burma's military regime to waive restrictions on aid for victims of Friday's cyclone, Burma Campaign UK Patron GLENYS KINNOCK today urged.

The Euro-MP said that unless the severe conditions on aid were eased, the disaster death toll, which is already estimated at up to 22,000, would rise dramatically.

Speaking from Brussels today, GLENYS KINNOCK appealed for the international community, particularly Burma's neighbours India, Thailand and China, to ensure the regime accepts international assistance without restrictions.

GLENYS KINNOCK said:

"It is clear that Burma is suffering a major humanitarian disaster on an unprecedented scale. Twenty-four million of the world's poorest people are affected with an estimated up to 22,000 already dead.

"Four days into the crisis there is no food, no clean water, and no shelter. Humanitarian assessment is underway but there are no helicopters or planes in place ready to deliver assistance.

"Burma's military regime has said that it will welcome international assistance but it hasn't said which of its severe restrictions on humanitarian access it will lift, for instance rigid rules on visas. A minister in the military junta remains adamant that aid agencies will need to negotiate access with military officials and the UN is apparently been told they must only work with government-owned relief agencies.

"It is utterly meaningless to say they want aid if they simultaneously don't drop these conditions. It is essential that aid is delivered through independent agencies such as the UN and aid agencies, rather than the regime - which is likely to misuse, steal or deny assistance to ethnic nationalities.

"The international community, particularly Burma's neighbours India, Thailand and China, must ensure that the junta accept aid to be delivered freely and on the basis of humanitarian need. Influence must be brought to bear on this tyrannical regime that continually neglects to care for its citizens. "

Notes

• The ruling Burmese junta places severe restrictions on the delivery of aid, and this has largely gone unchallenged by the international community.
• Although the regime has said it will accept international aid, there is no information on what aid it will allow and where it can be delivered.
• The regime restricted humanitarian access following the 2004 tsunami and does not allow aid in areas if Eastern Burma, where it is engaged in conflict with ethnic nationalities.