CRIMINAL NEGLECT: Myanmar's military government continues to resist aid for its people, frustrating those trying to help. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates characterized Myanmar's government foot-dragging as "criminal neglect."

Aid agencies say at least 200,000 people still haven't received any help yet. Even though Myanmar granted a few aid workers visas last week, it hampered their access. In some cases, trucks loaded with relief supplies were turned back for lacking proper authorization.

Cyclone Nargis: Quick Facts

U.S. Military Ready to Help Myanmar

Much of the Irrawaddy Delta—one of the hardest hit areas—remains inaccessible to ground vehicles. Secretary Gates told reporters that delivering aid to hard-to-reach villages would require helicopters.

He also pointed out that 22 heavy transport helicopters are ready and waiting on U.S. military ships anchored off the coast of Myanmar. They've been there almost a month, and have tried 15 times to deliver aid. Unless Myanmar changes its mind soon, the ships may head home.

Gates and Others Rule out Military Intervention

Gates and other defense ministers from around the world met in Singapore recently to discuss Myanmar's crisis. The group unanimously ruled out any kind of military intervention.

No foreign government wants to violate Myanmar's sovereignty—even to provide relief to cyclone victims.

Myanmar Regime Closes Refugee Camps, Reopens Damaged Schools

The United Nations, aid agencies, and foreign governments continue to aggressively push Myanmar's government to ease restrictions on aid and relief workers. Even though aid agencies report the aid effort is insufficient, Myanmar's military leaders seem eager to put the disaster behind them:

Closing Refugee Camps—The government plans to clear out at least 39 temporary camps south of Yangon. People who lost their homes in the cyclone have been living in the camps.

Survivors and aid workers attribute this to the military's denial of the scale of the disaster. Human Rights Watch Director Brad Adams said, "It's unconscionable for Burma's generals to force cyclone victims back to their devastated homes." (Reuters, 6/1/08)

Reopening Damaged Schools—The government reopened a large number of schools this week as a sign that the country was getting back on its feet. Yet many of the school buildings were badly damaged in the cycle and still need major repairs.

Some observers consider the reopening of schools premature and a health risk to children who return for lessons.

Copyright © 2009 Informify

Question for Readers:

Do you think the Myanmar's military leadership is out of touch with the scale of the disaster? Or are they just trying to show how resilient the government and people are?