More problems with Aid to Burma
 

Here is a truly appalling story that makes me wonder if anyone can get aid to the people of Burma.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/wo...12myanmar.html

I doubt it. This is going to be a nightmare we will not soon forget. The Junta takes the good food for its crooks to sell and sends garbage to the people. I did read this a.m. of a way to donate money to the Monks who seem to be just about the only hope for the people right now.

Nyi Nyi managed to get rice and candles to several hundred families. I gather the key is avoiding the security forces so he focused on a poor part of Rangoon near where he lives.

Jalin says that she thinks food is being stolen more than other things because they can be sold. She's concentrating on supplying her clinics which so far no one has bothered with.

Here is a link to today's update. The Junta's response to this crisis continues to be appalling:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/14/wo...yanmar.html?hp

I don't know about you, but the brutal and grim betrayal of the Burmese people has stunned me into a gawking, uncomprehending, stupid inaction.

Have others sorted out how to best make a donation? Advice welcome. Thanks.

marya - Here's a link to Gloria's suggestions below:

http://tinyurl.com/3fhg6f

For what its worth, I have not done anything yet and now with the earthquake in China I am afraid that Burma may disappear from the headlines.

I just got emails from Nyi Nyi and Jalin (my two burmese contacts). The situation is as bad as one could believe but both of them are getting some aid to people -- albeit neither has been able to get into the worst areas of the delata. But at this point the inflation is so high and so many people have no income they fear that even those in Rangoon will starve. So whatever you can do is important. But the way to go is NOT via the international agencies -- no matter how much they try it is mostly going to the junta.

I have just sent another $500 to Nyi Nyi which hopefully will enable him to get food to a couple hundred people.

Or send a donation via the Pandaw website (it's secure) at www.pandaw.com