As the relief effort persists in Burma the ruling Junta continues to thwart community based groups, which are assisting cyclone survivors. Over ten private relief workers have been arrested since the beginning of this month, with a noticeable increase in arrests over the past week. Analysts claim that the recent increase in arrests is an attempt by the Junta to weaken Burma’s civil society, which has gained strength in the aftermath of the disaster. In a country where civil society is under strict scrutiny, the Burmese government would regard the birth of local private relief groups as detraction to their tyrannical military rule, and are therefore arresting relief workers to impede any civil society developments. These arrests are detrimental to the efforts of relief teams who are desperately trying to reach those survivors still in great need of aid. The arrests have caused some groups to discontinue their activities entirely as the safety for their volunteers reaches worrying levels, whilst other community groups and NGO’s face even greater logistical problems in their aid relief programs, in addition to restrictions such as road conditions, access and transportation. The vigilance that relief groups have to apply to the logistics of their relief efforts takes up an incredible amount of time that could otherwise be used to overcome other obstacles.

Another factor contributing to the delay in relief efforts surrounds the new aid distribution guidelines released by the military junta. These guidelines state that all United Nations agencies and international and domestic relief groups must receive travel permission and aid distribution clearance from several layers of authority. Permission is required from relevant government ministries, and the joint Burmese, UN, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tripartite Core Group, which is acting as a coordinating agency. Township Coordination Committees, which act as a local bureaucracy to direct aid deliveries, must be kept fully informed. Permission must also be sought from divisional and local level military commanders, and Burmese officials must accompany all travel by foreign aid workers to the Irrawaddy Delta. Whilst innocent people struggle without adequate food and shelter, the lengthily process involved in the compliance of these guidelines is having adverse effects on the quick delivery of aid.

At this crucial time, as NGOs and local groups plan for the long term rehabilitation of villages and communities, their time is being exhausted by unnecessary bureaucracy and cautious planning to insure their volunteers are safe. As the arrests intensify and futile guidelines are produced more time is being lost. The administration of aid to a country such as Burma is already an incredible challenge; the Junta’s hostility is only prolonging the time it takes aid to reach survivors and the amount of time support from local groups and the international community will be required.

There has been a significant decline in relief operations this past week as grassroots organisations battle with the Burmese Junta and monetary funds are depleted. The generous donations of local actors and international organizations in the aftermath of Nargis has up until now allowed countless aid groups to operate efficacious relief efforts, however whilst the need for aid remains great, the money is rapidly running out. Exiled groups and international organizations continue to receive requests from local groups whose assessments of villages and towns confirms reports that basic aid is still in high demand. Items such as rice, salt, oil, fish paste, beans, eggs, clothes, blankets, and shelter are to name only a few requirements.

Adding to the strain on funds is the rise in food prices. The food security is currently a national concern in Burma as many farmers struggle to plant rice in time for this year’s season. It has been estimated that repair work in the Irrawaddy ‘Rice Bowl’ may take several years. In the meantime the cost of rice continues to rise. The price of salt, a dietary staple is also on the rise. Cyclone Nargis hit the centre of Burma’s rice industry last month and has sent the price of salt soaring. A shortage of salt will also have consequences for fish farmers who will be left with nothing to cure their fish. Rice, salt and fish form the staple diet in Burma, the consequences of a shortage in any of these items will sweep across the country. The need for the immediate implementation of an effective rehabilitation plans across the Delta and Rangoon is crucial if Burma hopes to reduce the long term consequences which Cyclone Nargis threatens to produce.

In related news cyclone victims who simply cannot survive in Burma are increasingly seeking refuge in Thailand and the number of cyclone refugees heading for Thai cities is on the rise. Many of those people who have traveled from villages completely destroyed by Nargis plan to relocate permanently in Thailand in hope that they will find a new home and jobs which will allow them to support what family they have left. Some are crossing the border to collect donations which they will take back to their villages. Thailand is likely to continue seeing a rise in cyclone refugees if the military junta persists in their efforts to restrict aid and whilst farmers lack the tools needed to begin planting rice.

The ‘Tripartite Core Group’ (TCG) which is comprised of The UN, ASEAN and Burmese government officials are now carrying out a survey and up-to-date joint assessment in the Delta region. The Asian Development bank and the World Bank have agreed to provide Burma with assistance in its assessment of the reconstruction needs. The ADB and World Bank stopped providing loans to Burma almost two decades ago but have agreed to help the country post- Nargis as assistance would provide support to the ASEAN humanitarian Task Force that would be carrying out assessments in Burma.

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