Offence Against Ignorance

The cyclone in Myanmar has left over 22,000 dead, with predictions that the death toll could be as high as 100,000. According to the UN, around 5,000 square kilometres remain underwater, and more than a million homeless need emergency relief. Food prices have skyrocketed and petrol prices have doubled.

This is one of the worst natural disasters in recent history.

Yet, despite the enormity of the destruction, aid is only slowly trickling in. The world governments may be cynical about the ruling military junta, but the effort deployed in assisting those most in need is far too insignificant. There has been no substantive coordinated approach from the world to deal with this crisis. All efforts must be made to overcome any political roadblocks and deliver aid to the desperate survivors.

Blame must also be apportioned to the media who have not given enough coverage to the disaster. It is disappointing to witness the ignorance of those capable of assisting.