The gospel according to the New Light of Myanmar
Here is an excerpt from the New Light of Myanmar, May 8, 2008 issue.
At the relief camp of Kungyangon BEHS No 2, Lt-Gen Myint Swe and the ministers met with the storm-hit victims and presented foodstuff, purified drinking water and tarpaulin to them.
A cultural note for the Burmese: If you have lived in a free and open society (or fake democratic Singapore) long enough, there is something about the above picture that will make you irk.
Today, canned fish, coffeemix packets, instant noodles, biscuits, blankets, tarpaulin, clothes, soap, purified drinking water and pencils weighing 2.5 tons were distributed to the victims of Twantay and Kungyangon townships. Lt-Gen Myint Swe and Minister Maj-Gen Hla Tun left there by helicopter and arrived back here in the afternoon.
The truth on the ground
The disaster response teams in Burma are ill-equipped, and lack material support. Here is an email from Sakhorn Boongullaya, who is in charge of logistics operations for all UN and NGO in mobilizing food and relief supplies to the survivors.
From: Sakhorn Boongullaya [mailto:Sakhorn.Boongullaya@wfp.org]
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 6:47 PM
To: Myanmar Nouveau Company Limited
Dear all,
I need all help from our community. I need trucks, waterway transport,
warehouse space up to 10,000 tons capacity. I am in charge of logistics operation
for all UN and NGO in mobilizing food, and relief supplies to help those affected
people from Cyclone Nargis, one and half million people that we are helping now.
If you have any contact of the said pls advise them to come and see me at UN building
on the Namuak road, Yangon, or call 09-5007688, 09-8601279.
Contact Sakhorn or my staff, Nyunt Win Htay.
We are not asking for free but we will pay. Please please help.
Many thanks and best regards,
Sakhorn
UN WFP Logistics
A kid who needs warm clothes and better shelter [Photo: Khin Maung Win (AFP)]
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