Burmese junta 'stealing cyclone aid supplies' 13/05/2008 - 10:55:28
Burma’s corrupt military regime was today accused of siphoning off high-quality aid for cyclone victims and replacing it with rotten food.
The switch was exposed as the UN revealed that only a tiny fraction of the international aid pouring into the country is reaching those in need.
A veteran foreign resident in Burma’s biggest city Rangoon told the Associated Press news agency that angry government officials have complained to him about the military stealing aid.
The man, who asked not to be identified, said the officials told him that quantities of the high-energy biscuits rushed into Burma on the World Food Programme’s first flights were sent to a military warehouse.
They were exchanged by what the officials said were “tasteless and low-quality” biscuits produced by the Industry Ministry to be handed out to cyclone victims, the foreign resident said.
He said it was not known what has been happening to the high quality food - whether it is being sold on the black market or consumed by the military.
The claim appeared to be backed up on the ground.
CARE Australia’s country director in Burma, Brian Agland, said members of his local staff brought back some of the rotting rice that is being distributed in the delta.
“I have a small sample in my pocket, and it’s some of the poorest quality rice we’ve seen,” he said. “It’s affected by salt water and it’s very old.”
It’s unclear whether the rice, which is dark grey in colour and consists of very small grains, is coming from the government or from mills in the area or warehouses hit by the cyclone.
“We were using food from the World Food Programme, which is very high quality,” Mr Agland said from Rangoon.
“Certainly, we are concerned that (poor quality rice) is being distributed. The level of nutrition is very low.”
“There is obviously still a lot of frustration that this aid effort hasn’t picked up pace” 10 days after the cyclone hit, said Richard Horsey, spokesman for the UN humanitarian operation in Bangkok.
Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma’s Irrawaddy delta leaving more than 60,000 dead or missing according to the government count. The UN has suggested the death toll is likely to be more than 100,000.
With their homes washed away and large tracts of land under water, some two million survivors, mostly poor rice farmers, are living in abject misery, facing disease and starvation.
The UN said the World Food Programme is getting in 20% of the food needed because of bottlenecks, logistics problems and government-imposed restrictions.
“That is a characterisation of the program as a whole. We are not reaching enough people quickly enough,” Mr Horsey said.
The survivors are packed into Buddhist monasteries or camping in the open, drinking dirty water contaminated by dead bodies and animal carcasses. Food and medicines are scarce.
The military – which has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1962 – has taken control of most aid sent by other countries including the United States.
The regime told a US military commander who delivered the first American shipment Monday that storm victims’ basic needs are being fulfilled – and that “skilful humanitarian workers are not necessary.”
It has barred nearly all foreigners experienced in managing such catastrophes from going to the delta west of Rangoon, and is expelling those who have managed to go in.
Armed police checkpoints were set up outside Rangoon on the roads to the delta, and all foreigners were being sent back by policemen who took down their names and passport numbers.
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Burma’s corrupt military regime was today accused of siphoning off high-quality aid for cyclone victims and replacing it with rotten food.
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