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Burma Relief Effort Belies Need

Junta props up success stories but ignores thousands out of spotlight

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2008 4:48 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Burma's junta would have one believe it's got the situation under control in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, and even has a test-case diorama as evidence for foreign envoys, the Times of London reports. Sinkan refugee camp hosts 180 well-fed, healthy inhabitants in clean blue tents—while 10 minutes down the road, destitution, sickness and homelessness are everywhere.

“The people from the foreign embassies go to see the people in the blue tents, who are the families of people in the Government,” said a Buddhist monk. “The officials there tell them how to answer the questions … and do not bring the foreigners here because they know that if they spoke to us we would tell them the truth.”

Homeless Burmese receive candy at a monastery serving as a temporary shelter on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, May 26, 2008.
Homeless Burmese receive candy at a monastery serving as a temporary shelter on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, May 26, 2008.   (AP Photo)
In this photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma, members of the Myanmar opposition National League for Democracy party chant slogans during a protest demanding the release of party's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, Myanmar Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
In this photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma, members of the Myanmar opposition National League for Democracy party chant slogans during a protest demanding the release of party's leader Aung San...   (AP Photo/Democratic Voice of Burma, HO)
Cyclone survivors queue for the rice from the local donator at a monastery on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 27, 2008. More than three weeks after the storm, people huddled along roadsides, desperate for any sort of handout. The U.N. estimated less than half the 2.4...
Cyclone survivors queue for the rice from the local donator at a monastery on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 27, 2008. More than three weeks after the storm, people huddled along roadsides,...   (AP Photo)
Cyclone survivors drink clean water from the local donator at a monastery on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 27, 2008. More than three weeks after the storm, people huddled along roadsides, desperate for any sort of handout. The U.N. estimated less than half the 2.4 million...
Cyclone survivors drink clean water from the local donator at a monastery on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 27, 2008. More than three weeks after the storm, people huddled along roadsides,...   (AP Photo)
Cyclone survivors drink clean water from the local donator at a monastery on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
Cyclone survivors drink clean water from the local donator at a monastery on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.   (AP Photo)
A Buddhist monk speaks to homeless Burmese lining up to receive candy from an at a monastery serving as a temporary shelter on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, May 26, 2008.
A Buddhist monk speaks to homeless Burmese lining up to receive candy from an at a monastery serving as a temporary shelter on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, May 26, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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UN aid has reached 1M Burmese
Associated Press

Burma slowly increases access to survivors
AFP

 
refugee camp • dictatorship • Myanmar • Burma • junta • military junta • food aid • Cyclone Nargis

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