US lauds UN, ASEAN for facilitating aid in Burma

by Mungpi

Thursday, 30 April 2009 23:45

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The US State Department on Wednesday lauded the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) for facilitating humanitarian assistance to victims of Cyclone Nargis, which slammed into Burma’s Irrawaddy delta in May 2008. Robert Wood, the department’s acting spokesman, in a statement on Wednesday said the US$ 75 million assistance provided by the US would not have been possible without the UN and Asean facilitating it through the Tripartite Core Group. Wood also acknowledged the work done by various humanitarian groups saying, “We also acknowledge the unfailing work of many non-governmental organizations that provided vital aid and assistance.” While extending condolences to the victims of the cyclone and saluting the Burmese peoples’ bravery and sacrifices in helping rebuild the lives of the victims, the State Department also said it is hopeful that the Burmese military regime would continue to allow delivery of aid and other humanitarian assistance. “We express our firm hope that the Burmese government will continue to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Burmese people in the affected areas, and will also allow expanded access for assistance needed elsewhere in the country,” Wood said. In the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Burma’s military junta initially refused to allow international aid agencies including the United Nations to come in to assist the victims. But intervention by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who personally visited Naypyitaw, Burma opened up the door for international aid agencies. The UN agreed to coordinate the inflow of aid through the TCG, which was formed with the UN, Asean and the Burmese junta. The then Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu was appointed chairman of the TCG. The TCG was able to come up with the first comprehensive assessment of the Cyclone devastation, known as Post Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) report. And later it came up with a three year mid-term recovery plan known as Post Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP). According to the PONREPP, recovery and reconstruction in the affected areas will require US$ 700 million. But the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Burma, Bishow Parajuli, in a statement on Thursday said, though much has been done in the past one year, considerable needs remain. He called on the international community to continue its support. “Challenges remain, and there is now urgent need for sustainable shelter to half a million vulnerable people, and for agriculture and livelihood support,” Parajuli said in the statement. “…Continued support and engagement by the international community must be ensured for years to come, so the 2.4 million cyclone-affected people can fully recover and regain economic and social stability,” said Parajuli. < Prev   Next >