Out of the Cyclone, Seeds of Change in Burma

By Lev Weinstein, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2008 6:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – In the wake of the ruling junta's efforts to waylay foreign aid following May's Cyclone Nargis, Burmese citizens—including former political prisoners—created a grass-roots relief effort to help the embattled populace. In doing so, writes George Packer in the New Yorker, they may have created the catalyst for long-awaited political change in a once-prosperous nation impoverished by its military rulers.

“Regime change can happen in many ways besides mass revolution,” one dissident tells Packer. Despite the junta's crackdown on the humanitarian efforts of its own people, and its brutal quelling of last year's demonstrations led by monks, Burmese relief workers "have become a movement," says a local journalist. "They've become like activists." Adds another former political prisoner: "When I was younger I hoped for outside help to come to our country and liberate it. Now I realize that we have to rely on ourselves."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Khun Myint Tun, Member of Parliament Union of Burma who won a seat during the national elections in 1990 but not allowed to assume power, during a press conference Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008 (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

A Myanmar Buddhist monk, a survivor of Cyclone Nargis, gathers wood near his temple Thursday, May 29, 2008, outside of Yangon. (AP Photo)

Myanmar survivors of Cyclone Nargis gather to search for wood to rebuild their homes Thursday, May 29, 2008, outside of Yangon. (AP Photo)

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Several years ago, foreign-aid workers debated whether, after four decades of dictatorship, anything like civil society still existed in Burma. The question was answered by Nargis. - George Packer

In historical terms, fifty years is not a long period. So we may not get to enjoy democracy in our lifetimes. But my son or grandson—I’m sure of that. - Rangoon journalist

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