“With the full extent of the impact of the [cyclone] disaster still unfolding, the deployment of international assistance is urgent”, said Caritas Australia’s CEO Jack de Groot.
“The latest reports suggest more than ten thousand people have been killed and there remain tens of thousands still unaccounted for. In addition over one hundred thousand people require immediate access to shelter, food and clean water. The humanitarian need is enormous and we will need a massive emergency effort to assist the injured and stop the spreading of disease”.
“The affected area of the Irrawaddy Delta is the rice bowl of Burma, the largest per capita consumers of rice in the world. This will have enormous impact on the supply of rice in Burma for the coming year”, said Mr de Groot.
“Infrastructure was crumbling in Burma before the cyclone. Now it is shattered. Reports suggest as much as 95% of buildings along the Irrawaddy river have been decimated. This respose will require a long term commitment for international development agencies that could take years to complete. Caritas Australia was worked in Burma for almost two decades and is committed to the long term needs of the people of Burma”.
“The Burma regime must focus on the needs of their people at this time. The government’s reputation is badly tainted with human rights abuses and more recently a failure to adequately warn those now suffering. A clear focus on the humanitarian needs of the people should be the first priority at this time”, said Mr de Groot.
“The amount of resources required to conduct a referendum in Burma would severely detract from a comprehensive humanitarian response”.
“Communication across the affected area remains sporadic and this should be a priority for the regime and the international community in order to gain an accurate picture of the extent of the disaster”.
“Caritas works through local partners who are already delivering assistance, in providing food, clean water and shelter. Their capacity is minimal due to the tight restrictions which exist in the country and they will need ongoing international assistance, said Mr de Groot.
Caritas Australia is launching an appeal to assist those affected. To donate to Caritas Australia’s Burma Cyclone Appeal call 1800 024 413 or donate online.
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For more information contact Tim O’Connor 0417 284 831
