Burma Shuns Foreign Aid Workers

Planes and ships from governments and international relief organizations stand ready to deliver food, water, equipment and personnel to sections of Myanmar devastated by Cyclone Nargis. The military government of the country once known as Burma has announced it will accept cash and emergency supplies, noting that distribution will be “prioritized,” but refuses entry for any aid workers, reports BBC News. Some donors and nations express incredulity and concern that food and other aid might be hoarded rather than distributed quickly to the needy. China and the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have delivered shipments without workers, but analysts suggest that the government and military cannot handle the massive crisis alone. Outside sources report that deaths could total 100,000 and millions are displaced in the impoverished nation between Thailand and Bangladesh. The rigid government may trigger unrest inside its borders by attempting to control criticism, questions or help from the outside. – YaleGlobal