Cyclone Ravages Myanmar

A cyclone ripped through Myanmar leaving thousands dead.

Al Jazeera reports on the carnage:


At first the death toll estimates stood around a few hundred. However, this morning the Myanmar state radio program reported that over 4,000 people have died in the storm.

The stubborn behavior of the military government in Myanmar has thwarted the efforts of aid groups to deliver much needed relief to the area. Al Jazeera News has more:

The UN says the government has not responded to its offer to help after the storm destroyed communities and left thousands of people homeless.

...

Teams of foreign aid workers were trying to assess the damage and aid needs, but their access and movements are restricted by the military.

"That is the existing situation for international staff. The way most agencies work is they use national staff who have more freedom to move," Skavdal said.

"We will have a dialogue with the government to try to get access to the people affected," he added.

The Forum for Democracy in Burma and other dissident groups outside of
Myanmar have also urged the military government to allow aid groups unfettered access to the country.

Myanmar was formerly known as Burma.

"International expertise in dealing with natural disasters is urgently required," said Naing Aung, secretary-general of the Thailand-based group.

"The military regime is ill-prepared to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone."

[UPDATE: 11:49 am ET] Independent aid groups suspect the death toll will exceed 10,000.


[UPDATE: Tuesday, May 6th, 9:01 am ET] Burmese officials are now estimating over 22,000 dead.