The immediate period following natural disasters is often one characterized by more than just the relief efforts and goodwill of those helping to assist survivors. The environment of uncertainty, and at times lawlessness, which follows a catastrophic event can often open a window for those seeking to exploit the conditions for illicit activities. One situation of concern across the urban and rural regions of the Irrawaddy delta that have been severely affected by cyclone Nargis, has been the protection of children. Children have been placed at much greater risk because of the effects of the cyclone. The separation of families, the destruction of homes and the death of siblings means that many children have been orphaned, separated and left uncared for in the region.

The vulnerability of children in the post cyclone environment makes them much easier targets for the activities of traffickers. Across Burma children are regularly used as cheap labour in teashops and in various odd jobs. Often parents are not in a financial position to stop children from working. UNICEF has been particularly concerned about the fate of children in Burma since the cyclone has set up monitoring systems and safe zones for the protection of children. They have also been monitoring, along with Burmese groups, those who are seeking to adopt children from the delta. It is suspected that those seeking adoption may appear to have the child’s best interest in mind, but may be looking to adopt children for ulterior motives.

In better news for Burma, the junta has approved the use of four extra helicopters for use across the delta area. The WFP now has a total of five helicopters in operation and they have been flying sorties since Monday over the worst hit areas. The WFP is looking to expand its fleet to a total of ten aircraft by the end of this week. The vastly increased capacity is sure to add a much greater degree of efficiency and range to the relief efforts. The remaining aircraft will be coming from Bangkok where they are waiting currently.

The state run media have continued their propaganda push by releasing several reports denouncing foreign and Burmese exile media groups, claiming that they are worse than cyclone Nargis. Junta mouthpieces, The New Light of Myanmar and the Myanmar Alin, have both been extremely critical of foreign journalists, claiming that they are distorting facts about the relief effort, and are attempting to undermine Burma’s image. This has supposedly been done to in an effort to have a negative impact on donor confidence. The state run media propaganda has urged the people to maintain a nationalistic spirit in the face of the foreign media’s negative reports, and have denied those reports claiming that refugees are being forced out of camps and shelters, despite the fact that many media outlets have sources on the ground and first hand accounts from those refugees adversely affected by the regimes recent policies toward survivors. Refugees are still reporting that they are being sent back to destroyed villages without the assistance that has been promised to them by the authorities.

more news>>