The UN through its spokesperson for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs has again suggested that not enough aid is reaching deep into the affected areas of the Irrawaddy delta. It seems that the announcement last week of the free access to the region for international aid has made little difference in the lives of survivors, some of whom have still not been reached by international aid. The WFP is still being held up by the regime in its attempts to be able to use a helicopter to airlift supplies into remote regions. Access to the remote areas is still proving difficult with roads still destroyed or underwater. The use of airlift equipment is essential, yet the junta will not relax its restrictions on foreign assistance despite its recent assurances. Comments from local donors confirm the lingering suspicions held by the regime towards foreign interference by saying that donors heading to the delta region are being stopped and questioned, and in particular the authorities are asking whether they have foreigners with them.

There are concerns from other international groups as well regarding the impact of the cyclone on the labor practices in Burma. The International Labor Organization has expressed consternation over the possibility of the authorities using forced labor to help in the rebuilding of the country. The ILO has been in a constant wrangle with the regime over the past decade due to its claims that the Burmese junta has used forced labor practices on infrastructure projects and child soldiers in its military. According to the ILO, times of crisis such as the aftermath of the cyclone increase the likelihood of the use of forced labor, child labor and trafficking.

In some good news, Rangoon has seen the reopening of some schools. The schools across Rangoon saw students return from their traditional wet season break. However the reopening of schools was not all plain sailing as many of the institutions still have extensive storm damage that has not been repaired. Furthermore there has been apparently no effort on the part of authorities to fund the replacement of curriculum materials or other equipment. Teachers have been forced to dry out water damaged textbooks by hand. The beginning of the school term is also putting a great burden on many families as the costs of schooling are so high. The fees for a school year can run to US $25, which is the equivalent of three weeks work for most Burmese. Many families are not in a position to afford this, but the high value of education in Burma means that many families choose to make this sacrifice for their children’s benefit.

Speculation is beginning to mount as to whether the Burmese authorities should be held accountable by the International Criminal Court, for crimes against humanity. According to many international commentators, there are definitely grounds to make this case, however, the likelihood of getting any motions to this effect through the UN security Council prior to this action being taken are minimal, with China and Russia holding veto power in the Council. It is claimed that the junta’s efforts to obstruct aid may be costing tens of thousands of lives in the long term.

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