GlobalVoices ReFeed

Myanmar: Burmese Songs

Preetam Rai — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:00:09 +0000

Dawn sings couple of Burmese songs for her blog readers.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Preetam Rai reBlogged on Oct 13, 2008, 3:55AM

China milk scandal and Southeast Asia

Mong Palatino — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:00:22 +0000

Like the rest of the world, the China milk scandal has alarmed Southeast Asian countries. China is the major trading partner of Southeast Asian nations. Chinese goods are popular and accessible in the region. It is not surprising to learn that Chinese milk products which are contaminated by melamine have already been sold in local markets.

How did governments react to the issue? Chinese milk products were scrutinized, strictly regulated and banned. Even the popular white rabbit candy was listed as a dangerous food item. Health agencies have published a list of safe products from China.

Because of the milk scare, consumers are changing their diet, while others refrain from drinking milk. As expected, milk companies are assuring customers that their products are safe. A consumer from Brunei wants the government to review its list of contaminated milk products. Now a Mummy is worried since she bought a biscuit from a company based in China.

What is the reaction of bloggers? A Singaporean describes the issue as “Weapons of Mass Consumption-Tainted Milk Saga.”

Bangkok Pundit advises the government not to overreact:

“The government needs to take appropriate action to ensure the safety of its citizens, but it likewise shouldn't overreact and create a panic - if the government overreacts, China could retaliate and this affects Thai exporters.”

A reader is shocked to see Chinese milk products still being sold in Thailand supermarkets:

“I think the Thai government's stance is totally unacceptable, it's not just a question of PR. How come you can still see the products on the shelves in supermarkets? The government should take a strong stance for the public safety and inform us clearly what products are contaminated and remove them.”

Alexisthetiny from Bangkok will now buy more local and unprocessed food products:

“Melamine is supposed to be toxic, right? How in the heck, then can we have ‘acceptable levels’ of that stuff in our food? I’d imagine that for something this disgustingly bad for our health, ‘acceptable levels’ would be nil. Jesus. How on earth have we gotten to a point where we would allow stuff like that to be added to our food? Actually, how on earth have we gotten to this point where we allow corporations to tell us what is ok in food even if it goes against our instincts? One thing for sure, this is going to change my food shopping habits. From now on, its as local and unprocessed as it can get.”

My Food for Thots from Malaysia writes about the difficulty of banning trade with China:

“But heck, what's not made in China? Even Nike shoes are made in China! Does this mean it's only safe buying stuff not made in China? Which only mean the expensive, branded stuff? Which leads to bigger inflation? Which means our salaries will not suffice? Sigh….”

Tumbleweed in Space from East Timor writes about what the milk scandal revealed on modern living:

“The recent milk scandal in China once again reminds us of how much contaminants there are in almost every aspect of our life. This time it's melamine, but recently studies have also shown that polycarbonate, a plastic commonly used for milk bottles, contains the hormone-disrupting Biphesonol-A.”

What is the possible impact of the scandal on Myanmar? Fear from Freedom explains:

“Chinese milk powder is used widely in Myanmar. Coffee and tea mixed packets are used widely as well. Since these packets contained milk powder the authorities should check the source of the milk. Singapore found tainted milk powder in tea packets and our imports are from Singapore. It is important to tell the people so they can avoid milk powder from China in any form until things are checked.”

House on a Hill from the Philippines reminds the government not to impose trade policies that hurt the poor:

“Instead of taking pains to determine whether Sanlu milk could have indeed been smuggled into the country and sold to the public, we have government officials overreacting by freezing imports and pulling off the supermarket shelves just about any milk and milk-based product from China. What kind of solution is that? That’s a double whammy. That’s discriminating against legitimate Chinese producers and exporters of milk and milk-based products. Worse, that is hurting poor Filipinos who can not afford the que horror prices of milk and milk products sold locally by multinational companies.”

Then she identifies alternative sources of calcium:

“So we have a government who has continually failed to educate the people of the dangers of buying unlabeled food products. That same government is cutting off the supply of cheap milk because it cannot curb smuggling. Where does that leave the consumers, especially the poor ones? For those with children below two years old, breastfeed them. For the rest, understand that while milk is a good source of calcium, it is not the only source of calcium. Sardines, okra, tofu and beans are all rich in calcium.”

The Curious Life of a Quirky Chef from the Philippines asks “Is China trying to kill the world one kid at a time?” The blogger adds:

“First, there was the global controversy about children's toys that were tainted with lead. Then, the issue about candies and biscuits from China that allegedly contain formaldehyde. Today, health officials all over the world, plus the millions of dairy consumers are panicking because of the Chinese milk products that are contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Oct 5, 2008, 7:56AM

Myanmar: Journalist, opposition leader arrested

Mong Palatino — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:20:03 +0000

Ohn Kyaing, a veteran Burmese journalist and opposition figure was arrested by the police Wednesday night. Ohn Kyaing was also involved in cyclone relief activities.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Oct 3, 2008, 12:17AM

Myanmar: Veteran journalist criticizes bloggers

Mong Palatino — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:30:11 +0000

Respected intellectual and veteran journalist Mg Su San criticizes the behavior of some Myanmar bloggers who are “abusing the chance to express given by the new technology.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Oct 2, 2008, 7:23AM

Myanmar: Aid still needed

Mong Palatino — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:00:14 +0000

Five months ago, Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar which killed more than eighty thousand people and left 50,000 missing and 20,000 injured. It was the worst natural disaster which devastated the southern part of Myanmar.

The ruling junta of Myanmar was initially criticized for the slow relief work and for refusing the entry of international relief groups. Thanks to international pressure, the junta welcomed relief efforts from other countries. After several months, relief groups noted the improving situation inside Myanmar, with regards to the coordination of humanitarian assistance. A report from Refugees International:

“Aid agencies today report an unprecedented level of access and mobility in the Ayeyarwady Delta, which is a tribute to the successful fight by the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asia Nations and the United States for humanitarian access. But the gains in delivering relief supplies, gathering information about needs and supporting local communities are at risk without continued commitment to food security, livelihood and early recovery activities.”

The report also highlighted the need to sustain relief operations:

“While a large majority of cyclone victims have received some sort of assistance, and most are receiving regular food aid, the process of transitioning from relief to self-sufficiency will require international help well through 2009 and perhaps beyond. The international community must continue funding humanitarian assistance and begin livelihood and other early recovery activities that will allow the gradual phasing-out of emergency aid.”

But “hardliner isolationists” continue to block foreign aid:

“Nonetheless, hardliner isolationists are still determined to prevent further international involvement in Burmese affairs. This obstructionism has raised hurdles for relief operations, such as the failed attempt to impose strict guidelines on international agencies.”

These “hardliner isolationists” could be the leaders who are wary of U.S. involvement in the humanitarian process since they fear the U.S. will topple the junta. A government document was uncovered which accused the U.S. of delivering only drinking water, instant noodles and medicine in refugee camps.

It is good to read news of recovery:

“The resilience of those who have been most affected is inspiring. A surprisingly high proportion of the Delta's paddy fields have been planted despite the destruction created by Cyclone Nargis. Still, close to a million people will rely on food assistance for many months to come. In areas such as agriculture, fishing, health and education, an enormous recovery and rebuilding task lies ahead for the affected population as well as for those seeking to assist them.”

Education officials are doubling efforts to help students. International artists are still raising money for victims.

Healthcare was provided to cyclone victims because of influx of donations and volunteer doctors. This was validated by the World Health Organisation which recognized the crucial role of government doctors, nurses and midwives in providing urgent medical treatment to cyclone survivors. An interesting suggestion from the WHO:

“One set of lessons from Nargis should be the introduction of swimming lessons for women, and family evacuation training designed to encourage men to look after older children – which requires greater strength – while women should care for babies.”

The optimism of the WHO was not shared by the Global Hope Network International:

“Most of the hardest hit places of the Ayeyarwaddy delta still refuse entry to foreigners. It is a dangerous place to work. Our teams of national workers continue to risk their freedom and lives by helping the desperately suffering. People are perpetually hungry and are not getting enough food to remain healthy. Months after cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar, the situation remains grim and dangerous.”

Other disturbing news: Some local leaders are extorting money from villagers. Prices of commodities, like salt, are still high. Food and rice shortage could worsen because of illegal rice trade in Myanmar’s borders. About 5,000 refugees were forced out (relocated) of humanitarian camps a few weeks ago.

Only 112 orphans are officially registered in government-run orphanages. However, the initial UN estimate of children orphaned was about 2,000. Where are the other orphans? It is feared that many orphans have been recruited into the Tatmadaw, Burma’s armed forces.

New Mandala interviewed an aid worker who provided us with a believable and concrete situation inside Myanmar. The hardest part of the humanitarian work:

“Communication between agencies and the field was the most difficult problem faced. Communication infrastructure was minimal, highly regulated and controlled. It was very difficult to get a clear picture of the type and extent of damage suffered. On many occasions the only way to transfer information was to travel to other offices and collect hardcopy or transfer directly to computers. The lack of trust from aid agencies to the government and the government to the aid agencies created an environment of secrecy where many people were very hesitant to share information about their activities.”

An inspiring experience:

“I never felt unwelcome at anytime during the response. Generally the reception was positive although culturally the population is guarded about commenting or complaining openly about any ‘issues’. I think one of the most amazing things early in the response was the reaction and sharing between the affected population…The sharing of supplies between households to ensure everyone received adequate assistance was also heartening.”

Kyimaykaung ponders on the series of tragedies which struck Myanmar:

“I observe that Burmese crises are becoming closer together and more severe, which makes sense in the light, or rather darkness, of the junta's ratcheted up oppression and the accompanying systemic problems, from infrastructure to bureaucracy to an enormous army to environmental degradation.”

Pictures of the affected Myanmar communities and children orphans.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Sep 29, 2008, 7:56AM

Myanmar: Saffron Revolution a year later

Mong Palatino — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:30:10 +0000

Alternative Asean Network on Burma published a briefer which revealed the intensified repression in Myanmar a year after the crackdown on the monk-led Saffron Revolution.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Sep 27, 2008, 8:25PM

Myanmar: Veteran activist now out of jail

Mong Palatino — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:00:20 +0000

Veteran democracy activist Win Tin who was detained by Myanmar's junta since 1989 is now out of jail. Was he freed or evicted? Other prisoners were released as well.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Sep 24, 2008, 8:52PM

Critical Myanmar online portal hacked

Mong Palatino — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:00:10 +0000

On the the eve of the first anniversary of Myanmar’s “Saffron Revolution,” The Irrawaddy website was hacked. A blog was set-up as a temporary mirror site . The Irrawady focuses on Myanmar and Southeast Asia.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Sep 23, 2008, 3:55PM

Life on the Thailand-Myanmar border Part 1

Natalie Jesionka — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:20:14 +0000

Kenewei* is writhing on the floor of her cubicle sized home. She suffers from intestinal tuberculosis , worms, and typhoid . Emaciated and fragile, she looks to be six years old, instead of her real age of eleven. She has never seen a doctor. Born among broken dolls and sewage, she has never seen anything that exists beyond the Mae Sot garbage dump.

The dump, bordering between Burma and Thailand is the home of nearly four hundred Burmese refugees. They settled in the dump to escape the economic hardships of Burma and the dangers of being an illegal immigrant in Thailand. Most residents will never leave the garbage dump; going only as far as the neighboring recycling plant our of fear of arrest and deportation.

Last February, two bombs exploded in the dump, wounding thirteen residents. Eleven of the residents who were injured were arrested by the police. They were held in a detention center for three days and forced to pay bribes up to 3,000 baht, or one hundred U.S dollars. All of those injured ended up being deported back to Burma. Residents only speculate about the sources of the bombs. Some believe they were thrown away and left undetonated in the garbage, while other residents claim it was a targeted crime against Burmese and dump people who say they are discriminated against among the Burmese population.

Residents find safety among the mountainous heaps of garbage. They make their houses out of bamboo and any trash they can salvage. Houses are no bigger than a closet and sleep a family of five. Tennis rackets, and old wrenches support the roof while Old cell phone advertisement banners become makeshift walls and candy wrappers patch holes in the floor. Local monks donated material to improve roof conditions, but only six houses in the far area of the dump received new roofs.

There are few sources of escape from the garbage. A small TV and DVD player is a makeshift movie theater. On Sunday’s residents can pay 5 baht to watch a movie. And on Burmese independence day, many of the students get together to play sports. Occasionally, foreigners will come in, providing things like magic shows or hygiene products.

One foreigner, a British aerial photographer known as “the Dump man,” is trying to improve the dump, one pair of boots at a time. By purchasing gum boots for the residents of the dump, he helps reduce the risk of injury by getting lanced by a knife while picking through plastic or stepping upon the garbage in bare feet. One pair of boots costs less then 3 US dollars. In August, a large donation from the Netherlands helped raise enough money for 350 pairs of boots and worm pills.

Aside from the occasionally escape, the most anticipated sound at the dump is the roar of a garbage truck pulling into the dump. It is a sound of wages for the residents. Every day, residents wait for the garbage trucks to unload contents; left over food, old underwear, cracked bottles, and the most valuable item ; plastic bags. The bags are the main way to earn money at the dump, where residents resell them to the recycling center down the road. For one kilo of plastic bags, residents receive at most, 50 baht ($1.75). During the rainy season, it is much more difficult to find plastic bags which generate little to no income.

At night, collecting plastic bags is more challenging. The snakes and rats come out. There are no lights to get to the garbage truck that arrives at midnight so residents clamor through the garbage in the pitch black to get access to the incoming garbage. Residents paw through the garbage with their bare hands. May-Ley Khine, a town elder shoveling through the evening garbage, said through a translator, ” I would rather be here picking plastic than in Burma.”

When not working, time passes slowly at the dump. During one weekday afternoon, residents bathe near the polluted well or rest by the man-made lake . Children look through discarded onion peels trying to find the remains of pulp. Teenage girls discover bits of bright pink lipstick and smear it on their lips and cheeks over there thanaka. And amidst these and rites of passage among the garbage, there are echoes of Burma. Reminders of home.

* Names are changed for safety of those interviewed.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Natalie Jesionka reBlogged on Sep 15, 2008, 4:08PM

Appeal of Singapore-based Burmese patriots

Mong Palatino — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:00:16 +0000

Jacob's Weblog uploads a petition letter by supporters of the six Burmese activists who were denied of visa extension by Singapore's immigration authorities.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Aug 30, 2008, 3:54AM

Cambodia: Sex workers, 100% condom use and human rights

Juliana Rincón Parra — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:30:11 +0000

Cambodian sex workers have taken to the internet to make their plight and fight for human rights better known. In Cambodia, a 100% condom use law which states that sexual exchanges with clients have to take place with condoms on sounds like a good idea, but it has been turned against those it is supposed to protect, by being used as a means to imprison sex workers, using the fact that they carry condoms with them as evidence for them doing sex work.

Sex workers arrested are sent to “rehabilitation” centers that are basically prisons, where women are held in communal cells with no bathrooms or running water, hardly receive food or water, some are beaten and raped, and are denied Anti-retroviral drug treatment for HIV positive women.

The Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers has a series of studies of the perceived results and effects of the 100% Condom Use Program according to sex workers in different countries, such as Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. You can also see the video the have uploaded on their Blip.tv channel Sex Workers Present, where a comprehensive video with explanations of the implications of the 100% condom use program, interviews with women who have been arrested or sent to “rehabilitation” facilities where no type of education or training is received, and how these programs that connect condom use exclusively with sex workers are not going to be able to impact HIV and STI propagation among the rest of the population. The Asia pacific Network of Sex Workers recently won the 2008 international Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights at the International AIDS conference in Mexico City the first week of August. The organization was founded in 1994 and has been working with sex workers on health and human rights along with other organizations and groups such as Empower Thailand, Sweetly Japan, Pink Triangle Malaysia, the Scarlet Alliance Australia and Sonagachi.

The following video is named Caught between the Tiger and the Crocodile:

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Juliana Rincón Parra reBlogged on Aug 25, 2008, 7:27PM

Singapore: Harassment against Burmese immigrants

Mong Palatino — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:30:13 +0000

A Burmese activist applying for visa renewal was asked by Singapore immigration authorities about his political activities: “They asked me: ‘Who is the leader of the OBP? How many members do you have? Who are they? What are their names? Where do you usually gather for meetings?' And they also asked about my close friends.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Aug 25, 2008, 7:22AM

Singapore cancels visa permits of Burmese patriots

Mong Palatino — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:50:08 +0000

Singapore's immigration authorities did not renew the visa permits of Burmese patriots who are based in Singapore. Were the Burmese dissidents rejected for their peaceful political activism?

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Aug 22, 2008, 5:44AM

Myanmar: Jade and Beijing olympics

Mong Palatino — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:50:10 +0000

Activists urge visitors to the 2008 Beijing Olympics to boycott souvenirs and jewelry made of Burmese jade in order to avoid supporting Burma’s “abuse-ridden jade mining industry.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Aug 6, 2008, 8:49AM

Myanmar: Bloggers and Cyclone Nargis

Mong Palatino — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:50:10 +0000

Ashin Mettacara notes that aside from Buddhist monks, bloggers have been consistent in helping the cyclone victims of Myanmar by raising money from blogs.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Aug 6, 2008, 8:42AM

Myanmar: Teen Problems in London

May Hnin Phyu — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:10:17 +0000

London based Burmese bloggers show concern over the increase in teenage crimes. Steve E. questions “Why is the incidence of knife crime growing up rapidly these days?” and wonders a way to reduce such crimes while CMS witnesses yet another teenage gang fight.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by May Hnin Phyu reBlogged on Jul 20, 2008, 2:05PM

Myanmar: Naming System

May Hnin Phyu — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:10:17 +0000

“I realized that the Burmese custom of naming is fairly unique. It symbolizes the combination of the particular virtue for a person and astrological calculation of the day of the week that the person was born based on Burmese lunar calendar year.”, Bakaung blogs and explains more in detail.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by May Hnin Phyu reBlogged on Jul 20, 2008, 2:02PM

Myanmar: Alter charges against blogger Nay Phone Latt

May Hnin Phyu — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:50:06 +0000

Mizzima news reported that the charges to blogger Nay Phone Latt was altered and a new charge has been applied. “Under section 32(b) of the Video Act, he is facing a maximum of six months in prison but now faces a maximum of seven years in jail under the new charge under section 5(j) of Emergency Provisions Act, if convicted.” minnyoon has twitted with a link to Myanmar article as well.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by May Hnin Phyu reBlogged on Jul 9, 2008, 10:42AM

Myanmar: Salt Prices

May Hnin Phyu — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:40:12 +0000

New Mandala states that “25,430 acres of salt pans were submerged and 29,545 tons of salt damaged after the Cyclone Nargis. The price of salt has risen by three to six times in the last two months.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by May Hnin Phyu reBlogged on Jul 9, 2008, 10:39AM

Myanmar also needs tourists

Mong Palatino — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:11:26 +0000

Bangkok Dazed is visiting Myanmar and reminds us that one way to help the cyclone-ravaged country is to visit it. He writes: I lost track of how many people who told me “You are the first tourist/customer we have had in two months.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jul 7, 2008, 4:07PM

Myanmar: Villagers forced to work for aid

Mong Palatino — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:30:10 +0000

Residents of Meepya village in Rangoon have been forced to work on a reconstruction project in order to receive aid materials given by private donors.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jul 2, 2008, 3:21AM

Myanmar: More cyclone disaster pictures

Mong Palatino — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:10:07 +0000

Hanna uploads some images taken in the Irrawaddy Delta six weeks after Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 23, 2008, 11:08AM

Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday

Mong Palatino — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:40:13 +0000

Myanmar police arrested members of the National League for Democracy who were “celebrating” the 63rd birthday of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 22, 2008, 11:34AM

Myanmar: Foreign doctors are now leaving

Mong Palatino — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:00:07 +0000

The Irrawaddy reports that foreign doctors are now leaving the cyclone refugee camps of Myanmar

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 16, 2008, 5:52AM

Myanmar: Kyan Hmaw village

Mong Palatino — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:00:07 +0000

Before Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar last month, the village of Kyan Hmaw was inhabited by 1,316 people. Now, according to Ashin Mettacara, only 332 people are living in the community.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 16, 2008, 5:50AM

Myanmar: Cyclone survivors arrested for complaining

Mong Palatino — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:50:06 +0000

ko-htike uploads an article which reported that Myanmar survivors were arrested after making complaints about the conditions in refugee camps

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 16, 2008, 5:48AM

Catholic aid effort for Myanmar

Mong Palatino — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:20:07 +0000

Catholic News reports the efforts of Catholic groups in Singapore in organizing an aid response to help Myanmar's refugees

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 6, 2008, 9:13AM

Myanmar: Comedian arrested for distributing relief goods

Mong Palatino — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:20:07 +0000

A comedian was arrested for organizing relief efforts to help Myanmar's cyclone victims. Rule of Lords also tackles other cases of private aid initiatives which were blocked by the junta.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 6, 2008, 9:10AM

Myanmar: Junta condemns “invented stories”

Mong Palatino — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:10:05 +0000

Myanmar's state-controlled newspaper features a report castigating “self-seekers and unscrupulous elements” who sell video tapes featuring “invented stories” to foreign news agencies about the cyclone disaster.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 6, 2008, 9:08AM

Pressuring China to build freedom in Myanmar

Mong Palatino — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:10:08 +0000

Veteran Myanmar activists have set up a website, 8-8-08 for Burma, to pressure China to use its “unique leverage” on the ruling junta to help save lives and build freedom in Myanmar.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 5, 2008, 8:06AM

Madagascar's bloggers ambivalent about Sichuan earthquake aid

Lova Rakotomalala — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:30:17 +0000

The Malagasy government volunteered to help the international aid effort for the earthquake victims in the province of Sichuan, China. The immense proportions of the humanitarian disaster prompted the government to donate $100,000 USD to the Chinese ambassador Wo Ruidi in Madagascar for the rescue relief effort (fr)

The Malagasy blogosphere had mixed reactions to this donation, despite unanimously recognizing the sadness of a catastrophe of this magnitude, citing that more than 70% of the population still lives below the poverty line, there is a global food crisis and some regions in Madagascar are still trying to recover from the destruction caused by the hurricane season.

Tomavana, who also translates for GV Malagasy, posted on the blog, Malagasy Miray:

“Car c’est de façon quotidienne que la majorité de la population malgache affronte les difficultés de la cherté de la vie, augmentation du prix de l’huile alimentaire, de celui du carburant, des coupures “chroniques” de courants et autre cyclone de façon annuel. Or quel contraste entre le manque de fonds, excuse immanquablement invoquées par le gouvernement face à l’absence d’efficacité des réponses apportées à tous ces problèmes nationaux et cette solidarité internationale. A ce que je sache, ce don ne provient ni de l’argent de Ranjeva ni de celui du président Ra8, mais bien des caisses de l’état, donc du contribuable ?”

Everyday life is a struggle for the Malagasy population when it comes to cost of living: the increase of the cost of cooking oil, gas price, daily power outage and cyclones. The contrast is edifying when one realizes that the excuse inevitably invoked for the lack of efficient response to all these problems is the lack of funds, and then we showcase our international solidarity with China [with financial help]. From what I know, this donation does not come from Ranjeva [the Minister of Foreign Affairs] or president Ravalomanana ‘s personal money but from taxpayers’ money, right ?

Tomavana’s post induced a few reactions in the comment section:
Manalina agrees with Tomavana (fr)

“Si sans cœur tu es alors sans cœur je suis … on sait tous ce qu’il en est”

If you are heartless then I am too…we all know what this [donation] is all about.

The Malagasy government is working hard to strengthen the ties with China. In recent news, President Ravalomanana traveled to Shanghai in May and is on record for wanting to “expand collaboration with China”. The Malagasy government also was also prompt to support China’s handling of the riots in Lhasa in March and state that they would participate in the Beijing Olympics whether a boycott is in place or not.

Tattum believes that charity ought to start at home and Maintikely says that her grandmother is still waiting for the roof and the walls of her home to be replaced after the latest cyclone. Maintykely also wrote in her personal blog that the president was guilty of a blatant conflict of interest when he protected the price of oil from going up with state subsidies when he owns the company that provides most of Malagasy cooking oil.

Dotmg, on the other hand, does not understand all the negative reactions to the act of solidarity by the Malagasy government (mg):

“Rehefa misy andrarezina lavo ve ao amin’ny tanànanareo dia tsy mandeha mamangy ianareo, na mandeha mamangy ihany fa tsy mitondra solondranombary tsy masaka, sa manome ihany fa fanahy iniana atao kely satria izy aza manankarena noho ianao, ka tsy ho hitan’ny vazan’ainan’ny hareny izay kely hataonao anaty valopy?”

When people in your region is hit by disaster, do you not visit them to offer your condolences and when you do, do you only put a small amount of money in your donation because they are wealthier than you and they would not notice the difference anyway ?

Vola thinks that the shocking part is the fact that 100,000 USD is really not enough when one considers the fact that 70,000 people died and many more are still not accounted for. If it was meant as symbolic gesture of solidarity, she asked, then wouldn’t a symbolic amount be more appropriate?

Many Malagasy bloggers have been actively raising fund for the earthquake victims in China and Cyclone victims in Myanmar through Facebook.

Another topic of international solidarity that got the Malagasy blogosphere talking was the call for help from Diana, a high school student in Mahajanga, who wants to help a baby born with a congenital malformation and his family get the proper medical treatment. The Malagasy Diaspora in Italy, France, Canada and South-Africa came together to raise funds for the operation and transport of the baby and his caregiver to the capital city, Antananarivo.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Lova Rakotomalala reBlogged on Jun 4, 2008, 6:29AM

Southeast Asia: Series of unfortunate disasters

Mong Palatino — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:40:14 +0000

A destructive cyclone in Myanmar. The China earthquake which was felt in Hanoi and Bangkok. Two earthquakes in the Sumatra island which rocked Indonesia and Malaysia. A strong typhoon which destroyed many towns in north Philippines.

In the past month, natural disasters hit the Southeast Asian region claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and destroying billions of properties.

Blogger Lynn Leng Lang exclaims:

“Ah, super sad lah. What the hell is happening to Asia?!”

Myanmar is still suffering as cyclone refugees continue to suffer from hunger and illnesses. The junta’s incompetence is another disaster which worsened the situation in the cyclone-ravaged regions of Myanmar.

Perhaps a U.S. official was correct to accuse the junta of being guilty of criminal neglect for blocking large-scale international aid to cyclone victims. Or as the prime minister of Singapore said, “Myanmar is fearful of allowing foreign aid agencies into the country to help because it could show that the ruling junta was not capable of handling the disaster.”

Because of the junta’s behavior, Endoh's dungeon believes the world was right in being pessimistic in giving aid to Myanmar. It is indeed extraordinary that three weeks have passed before Myanmar’s leader issued a public statement about the cyclone disaster. More than 100,000 people were killed and General Than Shwe managed to remained quiet about it. In other countries, this leader would have been ousted already.

Credibility is important so that governments can be effective in disaster management. Aid will not arrive quickly if a regime is perceived to be despotic. The sentiment of As Zewt As It Gets is common today:

“Now, I am sure all of us have got a wonderful generous heart and are all eager to contribute one way or another to help the victims of the recently occurred disasters both in China and Myanmar. However, I just want to say that we should be mindful of the channels to which we are contributing to. If you wish to contribute to any form of Myanmar relief fund, make sure the organization you are contributing to goes directly into the country to aid the victims and not just handing the money to the junta government.”

Many bloggers in the region are not fans of the junta. jere-iamwhatiam from Singapore writes:

“The purpose of a government is to govern the people, to make lives better for them, to take care and protect the people. What the government in Myanmar has done is total disregard for its people's lives and well-being. By delaying aid and a lack of prompt response to the disaster, they are just killing their own people.”

Filipino blogger Under the sun adds:

“What kind of government would put selfish interests ahead of the citizens’ welfare at a time of great crisis, when the only choice is between life and death?”

Noting that Thailand is an earthquake-prone zone, a new law requires all new buildings to be earthquake-proof. Reacting to the recent China earthquake which was felt in Bangkok, bloggers are asking about the safety of old buildings and skyscrapers.

Crunchy is also asking about the steps implemented in Malaysia to prepare for future strong tremors:

“Are houses and high rises in Malaysia built to withstand even a minor earthquake? Or even considerations and guidelines for developers to follow so that buildings can withstand tremors multiple times a year and throughout the years. With the ‘tidak apa' attitude and certain quarters or people who just cared about their pockets, I doubt these issues would get any attention at all until something major happens. What do you think? Am I being too paranoid?”

For many days, the damage wrought by a strong typhoon in north Philippines was not adequately reported by the media. Even the national government was not initially aware of the extent of destruction. The Philippine president was scuba diving in central Philippines a day after the typhoon left the country.

Darlene's blog site writes about the situation in one of the provinces hit by the typhoon:

“Typhoon Cosme destroyed more or less 700,000 homes affecting at least 38,000 families. This frightful event left residents no choice but to temporarily transfer in evacuation centers. Moreover, Cosme also lead a landslide causing roads to be closed and great flood destroying land farms.”

Strangely out of place was shocked:

“The following day, Candelaria looked waaaaaay different. The electric cables were all on the ground. Big acacia and mango trees were on houses and establishments. The church, the school and the public library had some windows broken. Almost every corner you turn you’ll see roofless houses. Some of the older structures looked like cardboard boxes on the ground. The town was, and I quote my mom, “extremely devastated.”

Pictures of the typhoon disaster in the worst-hit province were uploaded by The harvest is great. Northern Philippine Times lambasts government inaction:

“Every year, government officials say during dry months they have contingency measures for calamities like storms in preparation for rainy months. But every time a typhoon strikes, most government offices are caught flat-footed while roads are closed, barangays are submerged and power lines are down. Programs regarding disaster control or management are reactive, not proactive.”

Natasha loves noodles comments on the China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone, and the Philippine typhoon. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore delivers a speech about the need for international cooperation to help Myanmar. Assistance can also be given to other countries in the region:

“We in ASEAN cannot perform this job on our own. Myanmar's needs are way beyond what Myanmar itself or ASEAN as a whole can provide. This is why ASEAN and the UN have jointly convened this Pledging Conference. We in ASEAN can play little more than a facilitating role in fostering greater trust and cooperation between the international community - which has the capabilities - and the Myanmar government.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on Jun 3, 2008, 3:33PM

Myanmar: Inadequate aid

Mong Palatino — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:20:14 +0000

Penguin Blog uploads an article by American journalist Emma Larkin who has a first-hand account of the cyclone disaster in Myanmar. Larkin notes the small aid reaching the Burmese: ” It is like throwing sesame seeds into the mouth of an elephant.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 30, 2008, 4:19PM

Fire at Myanmar embassy in Thailand

Mong Palatino — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:30:06 +0000

A fire broke out at Myanmar’s embassy in Thailand. Because of the fire, aid workers were not able to secure visas. Absolutely Bangkok comments: “What a coincidence that the fire ravaged that part of the embassy where those visas should have been issued?”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 27, 2008, 3:29AM

Myanmar: Beyond Rangoon Project on Flickr

Mong Palatino — Mon, 26 May 2008 04:40:08 +0000

Latest pictures of relief operations in cyclone ravaged Myanmar can be accessed at Beyond Rangoon Project.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 26, 2008, 4:32AM

Myanmar: Open and close borders

Mong Palatino — Mon, 26 May 2008 04:40:08 +0000

The Siam Sentinel sums up the inconsistency of Myanmar's attitude in accepting aid: “Burma opens its borders. Burma closes its borders. Burma agrees to allow foreign aid workers to enter its borders. Burma closes those borders again.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 26, 2008, 4:30AM

Myanmar: U.N. leader speech

Mong Palatino — Sat, 24 May 2008 06:50:11 +0000

Ashin Mettacara posts the speech delivered by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who visited Yangon, Myanmar this week. Excerpt of the speech: “I saw the saddest things: homes and villages destroyed, fields flooded, roads and bridges washed away, so many lives lost. We work hard in our lives, for ourselves and our families. And then, in a moment, it is gone. I am humbled—humbled by the scale of this natural disaster, the worst your country has ever experienced, and humbled by the courage and the resilience of the Myanmar people.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 24, 2008, 6:45AM

The Burma Daily Online

Mong Palatino — Sat, 24 May 2008 06:50:11 +0000

Copies of the The Burma Daily were confiscated in Cambodia. But articles of the paper can be accessed online.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 24, 2008, 6:41AM

Southeast Asia: Coping with the rice and food crisis

Mong Palatino — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:00:19 +0000

Food prices continue to rise in the world market. People are concerned about the soaring cost of rice, which is the staple food in the Southeast Asian region and in many parts of the world. Governments are now re-examining their food and agricultural policies in order to prevent consumer panic and social unrest.

One of the earlier proposals was to create an OPEC-style group or a rice cartel in the region: Organization of Rice Exporting Countries or OREC. This idea has been dropped already. The Philippine government was alarmed over this plan. Filipino blogger, Philippines Without Borders, explains why the plan is counterproductive:

“Those countries on the Mekong like Thailand and Vietnam just cannot store rice forever. Unlike oil, rice deteriorates in just a few months of storage in the warehouse. And the Thais and the Vietnamese could eat only so much rice. In fact, forming Orec is counterproductive for these rice exporters. When they hoard their own rice, local prices decline, thus hurting their own farmers. If they want to benefit from the current situation, it’s in their best interest to sell rice and not hoard it.”

Many are still worried over the economic impact of the strong cyclone which hit Myanmar early this month. Rice prices had quadrupled inside Myanmar and hunger is expected to worsen. Golden Colour Revolution writes:

“The Irrawaddy division is agriculturally the most essential division for Burmese people and it produced one third of the rice production for 57 millions people. After the typhoon Nagris, the whole delta area’s rice production lands are flooded with salt water. Farmers can’t grow rice on salted land and there are no farmers left to produce rice for the country and the most important agricultural sector of the country has been destroyed. In the beginning of every June of the year, Burmese farmers usually prepare to grow their paddy plants in the farming area of the country to feed 57 million mouths. But this year, the rice production will drastically decline because of the typhoon.”

Governments are advising their constituents to reduce consumption of rice. A Malaysian blogger responds by insisting that anti-corruption efforts should be the focus of politicians:

“Now, we are facing food crisis we were told eat less rice. Fine, we can go for bread, however the price of flour also hiked. The price of noodle also hiked. What else we can eat? When the price of petrol hiked, we were told to change our live style. What else? Should we sit down and think, where the tax money goes? Should it be spent like this? Please, work hard on anti-corruption. My heart is heavy now, really heavy. I can imagine how hard my family members struggling for living. What should we do? Sit down and wait? Please, wake up. Work hard on anti-corruption.”

The Daily Brunei Resources reviews the food self-sufficiency plan of Brunei. Cafe Salemba proposes an overhaul of Indonesia’s agricultural policies:

“So when we come up using public resources to develop the agriculture revitalization program, are we speaking the same language for large scale commercial agriculture? Are we ready to give up the idyllic view of a small plot land owner peasantry for a large scale industry and see a transformation from myriad small peasant landowners class to become waged farmers working in a handful large scale agroindustrial companies?”

Youthful Insight enumerates the measures which can benefit Indonesian farmers:

“Indonesia’s agricultural industry is rife with asymmetric information. Rice distributors, wholesalers, and exporters, usually city folk with access to urban market prices and world market price data, have always seemed to have the upper hand over the rice farmers, rural folk who do not enjoy the same access to information. As a result, farmers suffer from a weaker bargaining position, causing them to undersell their rice almost every time. Government institutions need to step up and take the responsibility of insuring informational symmetry. If necessary, government officials from the Ministry of Agriculture should give farmers weekly updates on prices, as well as giving them institutionalized protection from distributors and middlemen who seek to exploit.”

Lao Voices tackles the land use problem in Laos:

“Many rice fields that covered the mountainous North of Laos are gone. They are steadily being replaced by rubber trees. The Chinese are coming to Laos and they need their rubber products for their galloping economy.”

Doing Business in Vietnam Seminar notes the quality of rice in Vietnam’s supermarkets is deteriorating:

“With rice as the main staple of nutrition in the diets of many Vietnamese families, the quality and price of rice is currently becoming a major problem for them. As prices are rising, it is becoming more and more difficult for supermarkets to provide high quality rice at a price that citizens can afford. To curb this problem, quality is decreasing rapidly so that prices can remain stable for purchasers.”

Mon Casiple hints that unscrupulous individuals are illegally profiteering from the rice problem in the Philippines:

“The price of rice is shooting through the roof. Yet, the mystery tales from the farmers are that the middlemen are not buying in extraordinary quantities in these times of an alleged demand market. The inescapable conclusion is that the same somebody or somebodies already had the supply before it happened–probably through technical smuggling or direct smuggling. They are now reaping the superprofits. These acts, particularly of government people, are simply treason.”

Bikoy, student leader from the Philippines, provides an action plan for the agricultural sector. Filipino Lawyer Marichu Lambino thinks it’s extraordinary for the Philippine president to literally sit at the preliminary investigation of alleged rice hoarders at the Department of Justice. The Explainer dissects the rising pork prices in the market. Professor Danton Remoto: How to survive as a nouveau poor in the Philippines.

The cost of fertilizer is getting more expensive in Cambodia. As a result of rising food prices, police and dog owners claim cases of dognapping are up in many parts of Cambodia. Perhaps dog meat is delicious and cheap for some Cambodians.

KI Media headline: Cambodia sees Opportunity in Rising Food Prices. Im Sokthy believes Cambodian farmers should be encouraged to venture in other small businesses to generate additional income. My Longkang thinks padi farming in Malaysia should be subsidized.

Thailand Crisis reports that the Thai government’s intervention in the rice crisis will cost 42 billion Thai Baht. The blogger is also not surprised that the consumer confidence index is down in Thailand.

Singabloodypore reports that more and more free meals are given today to help the poor residents of wealthy Singapore. A Xeno Boy in Sg adds that the queue for free food is getting longer. The number of people going to the malls is also lower this year in Singapore.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 21, 2008, 10:55AM

Videos: Creativity in facing the water crisis

Juliana Rincón Parra — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:30:04 +0000

Classic Water Drop Shot
by Randy Son Of Robert.
With two very recent natural disasters in mind: the cyclone in Myanmar and the Earthquake in Sichuan, China, the topic of getting pure and drinkable water to needy populations has come back into the conversation. Following, several videos which propose different solutions to supply clean water or at least make it easier for people to have a healthful liquid to drink.

These solutions have the bases covered: well digging and water for maintaining health and hygiene after emergencies, a PlayPump and a Q-Drum roll-able water container to transport the liquid: from underneath the ground and from far away and A Bio-Sand filter and purification bicycle to help make this water they transport, clean and safe for drinking and use.

First, from South Sudan, a Video Journal which speaks about the challenges faced by the Water for Sudan project in order to build and maintain wells in rural areas of this impoverished area and how it doesn't really matter how hard it is to get started and running, because in the end, it is worth every effort.

Then, from Pakistan, Action Against Hunger decided to help the communities who had lost absolutely everything to slowly regain their confidence in a better future by including clean water in their plans. The following video from Dogooder.tv:

A few projects which make it easy for people to transport water from one area to the next. First, the Q drum which is a rolling bottle that can be led by a rope. Second, a play pump which pumps water from the underground watershet to a water tank up high while children play and prototype bicycle that purifies water as it is ridden.

The prototype water purification/transportation bicycle can be seen on minute 1:00.

In the areas of purification we can see the Bio-Sand filter in action, also from Action Against Hunger:

Another similar clay pot filtration product is being promoted by Potters for Peace, who train local artisans to make clay pots which can be used to filter water. Complete instructions to make the pots and filters can be found here. The following video is of Ron Rivera's presentation in Design for the other 90 percent symposium:

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Juliana Rincón Parra reBlogged on May 20, 2008, 8:20AM

Myanmar: Through the eyes of a mission worker

Mong Palatino — Tue, 20 May 2008 04:30:15 +0000

The Obnoxious 5xmom uploads an email of a mission worker in Myanmar: “It is a sad sight. Nature unleashed an orgy of death and mayhem, wounding an already suffering population. Yesterday, with tears in their eyes, women explained how the waves snatched their babes from their bosoms. A mighty tidal wave ensured that tears stayed on as the children embraced watery graves.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 20, 2008, 4:25AM

Myanmar: Situation in Laputta

Mong Palatino — Tue, 20 May 2008 04:30:15 +0000

ko-htike received an email from a friend who had seen the situation in Laputta, Myanmar: “More than ten thousands victims are staying, sleeping on the wet ground under the miserable roofs in the camps of the monasteries and pagodas; and some victims are staying outside in the rain. They have no proper toilets and enough water for drinking and cleaning up. Clinics have no enough medicine for patients. Only the hospital is full with the patients and it can't accept next new patients because of lack of medicine and free beds.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 20, 2008, 4:23AM

Myanmar: Report from Yangon

Mong Palatino — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:10:08 +0000

New Mandala received a report from a correspondent based in Yangon, Myanmar. An excerpt of the account: “The stories from the night of the cyclone that the villagers shared with me were gruesome. I was told how streets were turned into rivers through torrential rainfall and storm surges of over 10 feet…It is not only devastating that many lost all their property, but long term income generating opportunities have been drastically interrupted or altogether destroyed.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 20, 2008, 1:55AM

Myanmar: A survivor's story

Mong Palatino — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:30:16 +0000

Myat Thura wanted to cry after translating a Burmese blog. Nyi Lynn Seck quoted a survivor of the Cyclone Nargis: “Most of the dead were women. Many suggested they died not because of drowning, but because of injury during flooding…When I climbed to the boat pier, I saw a corpse of a young child, wearing a rubber band on his wrist. Thousands of lives, thousands of innocent people, lost in the water, lost on the land.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 19, 2008, 4:21AM

Myanmar: “A wonderful place in the wrong hands”

Mong Palatino — Sun, 18 May 2008 09:20:10 +0000

A Filipino journalist writing for pcij.org was in Myanmar when a powerful cyclone hit the country early this month. The writer comments: “Burma struck me as a rich country with so many poor people. It is a wonderful place in the wrong hands.”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 18, 2008, 9:14AM

Myanmar: Invasion is counterproductive

Mong Palatino — Sun, 18 May 2008 09:20:10 +0000

Commenting on the proposal to invade Myanmar, Accumulating Peripherals believes that “An actual invasion or an attempt to seize and secure the entire hurricane-affected area for relief efforts would be wildly counterproductive”

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 18, 2008, 9:12AM

Myanmar: Citizen videos in Cyclone Nargis' aftermath

Juliana Rincón Parra — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:20:04 +0000

On May 2nd, 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar (Burma), generating massive damage and tens of thousands dead or missing. The situation would be considered critical for any country. However, the military government or “junta” has restricted the entrance of aid by requiring all donations to pass through them. The junta has also set up guidelines for journalists on how to report on the cyclone, restricting their communications, particularly on showing dead bodies or reporting about insufficient aid for victims, according to Burma News, a local online news source.

In spite of these restrictions on people carrying cameras and taking pictures, some have gone out to record the extent of the damages. There is anger over the failure of authorities to evacuate the affected villages, even when they were allegedly aware of the impending cyclone and the possible devastation it could cause. The following images, uploaded by YouTube user aungsayapyi may affect sensitive people: they are very graphic, include dead bodies and should be viewed with discretion and an adult's consent:

YouTube user AfterNargisYgn has been uploading a multi-part series of videos featuring images of the effects of the Cyclone in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, previously known as Rangoon. People removing downed trees, wading through waters and drying up their mattresses, clothing and in general trying to clean up and move on.

YouTube user Burma4u uploaded a video of the aftermath in Latbutta, with Cyclone Nargis' victims crowded in refugee shelters, trying to sleep as they mull over what will happen to them in the near and far future.

An insightful video about the Burmese people's future has come from myochitmyanmar, another YouTube user who has uploaded a video with some English subtitles, interviewing Laputta survivors and refugees on their current situation: at the refugee camps, on the streets: rice donations and clothing hand-outs for children, private initiatives done without the State Peace and Development Council who governs them. Meanwhile, a picture on Burma News shows what looks like Red Cross aid, which is supposed to be for Cyclone refugees, being sold on the streets.

The following video, also from aungsayapyi shows how people are experiencing life in the refugee camps with donations from private donations, and a Military General's arrival, carrying promises instead of clothing, food or water. They proceed to tell refugees that the people who died, died because of bad karma, and that they should consider themselves lucky to be alive. They give some recommendations about grouping themselves according to villages and then leave. It has been subtitled in English for a better understanding of the events:

In the YouTube Blog they've also highlighted the video community's efforts to help Myanmar and provide aid, and they highlight both news networks and private initiatives who are documenting the cyclone and letting the world know what is going on in this small Southeast Asian country. For example, Nightwatcher1982 of the Netherlands has promised that for every video response to his video he gets, he will donate $5 to the Red Cross, and if it's a good video, he'll donate $10:

Global Voices Online has been providing extensive coverage of the disaster, aggregating information from different citizen media sources in the region on what is happening with food aid, water and the refugee situation as death tolls continue to rise. Please don't hesitate to go over to our Special Myanmar Cyclone Coverage page and read the posts that the amazing team of volunteer authors have been writing with translations from Burmese blogs telling first hand accounts of life in Myanmar right now. You can also follow our Myanmar feed on twitter.

There will also be a global blog action day on behalf of the Burmese victims on May 17th, when people are asked to tell others about the crisis in Myanmar, and some are already organizing fundraisers and events.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Juliana Rincón Parra reBlogged on May 16, 2008, 8:12AM

Myanmar: Media coverage of cyclone

Mong Palatino — Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:18 +0000

New Mandala is shocked to discover that a state-run newspaper in Myanmar reports the impact of the Cyclone Nargis only on page four of the paper

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 16, 2008, 1:58AM

Myanmar: Government information website

Mong Palatino — Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:18 +0000

In case you are looking for the Junta's official mouthpiece, visit myanmar.com.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Mong Palatino reBlogged on May 16, 2008, 1:56AM

Sri Lanka: Responsibility and Burma

Neha Viswanathan — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:40:06 +0000

ICT4Peace on the idea of international responsibility and citizen-centered disaster response in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Burma.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Myanmar (Burma) by Neha Viswanathan reBlogged on May 15, 2008, 3:31PM