It's such a helpless situation

As I mentioned in a previous report about the crisis that would follow in the wake of the cyclone Nargis has already started taking effect now. Disease is spreading. Monsoon rains are coming and another cyclone is due to hit the same area in the next 24 hours. Hundreds of thousands of people have no shelter from the rains. With the rains falling, the waves of the sea are rising up to 9 metres above sea level with the force of strong winds. People in the Irrawaddy Delta including those in Rangoon will be anticipating one cyclone after another as monsoon season looms closer.

The aid that has been sent from the International community for the disaster, very little is reaching to a minority of people. The aid is being found in the market, with the people being forced to buy it at a price 5 x higher. Petrol prices have risen to $15 a gallon. With no electricity, some days hot and some days raining making a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes bringing the risk of malaria, dengue fever and typhoid. Few people have mosquito nets for protection. Many lack sleep at night due to the humidity. Food prices are at an extreme high. It is such a chaotic situation. Cholera is also rife.

The doctors from Rangoon have warned us that even if we go there, we are putting ourselves at risk to all kinds of diseases.

The Burmese government is still showing reluctance to allow international aid workers to come in. This is quite a challenge. The countries that desire to help can only look on from afar the suffering of the people, they are helpless to do anything.

Many of the Karen are extremely upset due to the neglect and the blockage of aid getting to the people especially in the Irrawaddy Delta region, where the majority of the population are Karen.

Gen. Htay Maung [editors note: not a Burmese military commander, but an opposition Karen leader], chairman of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council is gathering all Karen in a united effort to go to the affected area in the Irrawaddy Delta. We will assess the situation there and will do whatever it takes to bring aid and assistance to the people.

The stench of the dead bodies of both human and animals is overpowering. It is such a helpless situation.

The new cyclone that is approaching, although not as strong as the first one, will still wreck havoc with far more degree than the first.

Pray for the people in need as well as our team. We are not able to eat anything except packets of dry noodles in that area.

Sincerely,

Pastor Timothy Laklem