Support for devastated Myanmar

  • Published on 7/05/2008
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People of Myanmar waiting for relief after the cyclone. © AFP

Amnesty International Australia expresses its solidarity and support for the people of Myanmar, after a devastating cyclone which killed tens of thousands of people.

Officials say at least 22,500 people were killed and another 41,000 are missing after Cyclone Nargis slammed into Myanmar’s Irrawaddy delta - triggering a huge tidal wave - and swept across the country on May 2 and 3. News reports say nearly half the country's population of 53 million live in the disaster-hit area.

The cyclone, the worst to strike Asia since 1991, has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless and pummeled the country’s former capital, Yangon.

Last September, we campaigned for the people of Myanmar’s right to express opinions and speak freely without fear of violence or retaliation. At the time the country’s military government had violently cracked down on peaceful mass protests, sparked by crippling fuel price hikes.

Comments

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The Junta’s refusal to allow aid to be effectivly distributed in Myanmar is a crime against its people. Such a disdain for human rights must be ‘named’ and other nations/collectives must be ready to act in support of the human rights of the Myanmar citizenry. To not ensure the rights are respected and the aid reaches the citizenry is to be guilty of the same crime.

comment by:

Suzanne Mellor
19/05/2008
12:17 PM

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I’m so sad for the millions of people of Myanmar who have lost so much because of the cyclone.  There are many more like me who want to help with no strings attached.

Please, governmant of Myanmar, please allow experienced aid workers into the devastated parts of your country to help your suffering people.

comment by:

helen Johnston
16/05/2008
06:27 PM

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Please do the right thing and allow Aid to your people.

comment by:

Jill Nobes
15/05/2008
06:07 PM

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I support the UN it its insistence that foreign aid workers be allowed in to share their expertise in managing the situation.
I plead with the members of the Burmese Govt to allow the necessary visas.

I support you in your efforts to gain access to the millions who need help

comment by:

anneParnis
15/05/2008
03:55 PM

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