UN Secretary General releases new statement as UN aid starts to reach Myanmar

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Aid from the United Nations has started to reach Myanmar after a recent cyclone in the region killed tens of thousands.

The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon released a statement regarding the delivery of aid to Myanmar:

The Secretary-General is very concerned about the continuing tragedy in Myanmar, where the Government has confirmed that over 22,000 people have died and more than 41,000 people are missing following Cyclone Nargis on 2-3 May. Initial estimates suggest that up to 1 million people are currently homeless and many more require assistance

Government officials in Myanmar have said that 22,464 people have been confirmed dead from Cyclone Nargis.

Only once rescue workers reached the hardest hit areas of the storm did they begin to realize the extent of damage that had occurred. At least 10,000 people died in one town alone, Bogalay in the Pyapon District of the country.

The United Nations has reported that one million people are homeless, or in need of help in some other way.

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Sources

Ban Ki-moon. SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES MYANMAR GOVERNMENT TO EASE ARRIVAL OF AID WORKERS — United Nations, May 8, 2008
UN aid flights to Burma under way — BBC News Online, May 8, 2008
Myanmar state radio says cyclone death toll soars above 22,000 — Associated Press, May 6, 2008
Cyclone in Myanmar kills at least 15,000 — United Press international, May 5, 2008
Aung Hla Tun. Myanmar says cyclone death toll 15,000 and set to rise — Washington Post, May 5, 2008

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