Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis (Burmese: နာဂစ်; Urdu: نرگس, [ˈnərɡɪs]) was an extremely destructive and deadly tropical cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Myanmar during early May 2008.[1] The cyclone made landfall in Myanmar on Friday, 2 May 2008, sending a storm surge 40 kilometres up the densely populated Irrawaddy delta, causing catastrophic destruction and at least 138,373 fatalities.[2][3][4] The Labutta Township alone was reported to have 80,000 dead, with about 10,000 more deaths in Bogale. There were around 55,000 people missing and many other deaths were found in other towns and areas, although the Myanmar government's official death toll may have been under-reported, and there have been allegations that government officials stopped updating the death toll after 138,000 to minimise political fallout. The feared 'second wave' of fatalities from disease and lack of relief efforts never materialised.[5] Damage was at $12 billion, making Nargis the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the North Indian Ocean at the time,[6] before that record was broken by Cyclone Amphan in 2020.[7][8][9]
![]() Nargis near peak intensity approaching Myanmar on May 2 | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | 27 April 2008 |
Dissipated | 3 May 2008 |
Extremely severe cyclonic storm | |
3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 962 hPa (mbar); 28.41 inHg |
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 937 hPa (mbar); 27.67 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 138,373 total (Fifth-deadliest tropical cyclone on record) |
Damage | $12.9 billion (2008 USD) (Second-costliest Indian Ocean cyclone on record; costliest when adjusted for inflation) |
Areas affected | Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, China |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2008 North Indian Ocean cyclone season |
The first named storm of the 2008 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Nargis developed on 27 April in the central area of Bay of Bengal. Initially, the storm tracked slowly northwestward, and encountering favourable conditions, it quickly strengthened. Dry air weakened the cyclone on 29 April, though after beginning a steady eastward motion, Nargis rapidly intensified to attain peak winds of at least 165 km/h (105 mph) on 2 May, according to IMD observations; the JTWC assessed peak winds of 215 km/h (135 mph), making it a weak Category 4 cyclone on the SSHWS. The cyclone moved ashore in the Ayeyarwady Division of Myanmar at peak intensity and, after passing near the major city of Yangon (Rangoon), the storm gradually weakened until dissipating near the border of Myanmar and Thailand.[citation needed]
Nargis is the deadliest named cyclone in the North Indian Ocean Basin, as well as the second-deadliest named cyclone of all time, behind Typhoon Nina of 1975.[a] Including unnamed storms like the 1970 Bhola cyclone, Nargis is the fifth-deadliest cyclone of all time, but an uncertainty between the deaths caused by Nargis and those caused by other cyclones (like the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone), could put Nargis as the fourth-deadliest or higher, because the exact death toll is uncertain. Nargis was the first tropical cyclone to strike the country since Cyclone Mala made landfall in 2006, which was slightly stronger, but had a significantly lower impact. According to reports, Indian authorities had warned Myanmar about the danger that Cyclone Nargis posed 48 hours before it hit the country's coast.[citation needed]
Relief efforts were slowed for political reasons as Myanmar's military rulers initially resisted large-scale international aid. US President George W. Bush said that an angry world should condemn the way Myanmar's military rulers were handling the aftermath of such a catastrophic cyclone.[10] Myanmar's military junta finally accepted aid a few days after India's request was accepted.[11]
Hampering the relief efforts, only ten days after the cyclone, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake occurred nearby and measured 7.9 in magnitude, taking 87,476 lives[12] and causing US$150 billion in damage in the process, making it the costliest disaster in Chinese history and fourth-costliest disaster ever known. Furthermore, some donated aid items were found to be available in the country's black market, and Myanmar's junta warned on 15 May that legal action would be taken against people who traded or hoarded international aid.
Meteorological history
editTropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Towards the end of April 2008, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone over the Indian Ocean became very active, with a tropical disturbance developing under its influence during 25 April.[13][14] Over the next couple of days, the disturbance gradually developed further within an area of low vertical wind shear, before it was classified as a depression by the India Meteorological Department early on 27 April.[13] Initially, the depression moved westward and was classified as a deep depression by the IMD, before the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) initiated advisories and classified the storm as Tropical Cyclone 01B later that day.[13][15] The system subsequently started to move north-westwards under the steering influence of an anticyclone and an upper-level ridge of high pressure.[13][16]
At 0000 UTC, 5:30 AM Indian Standard Time, on 28 April, the IMD upgraded the system to Cyclonic Storm Nargis, while it was located about 550 km (340 mi) east of Chennai, India.[17]
On 28 April, Nargis became nearly stationary, while situated between high-pressure ridges to its northwest and southeast. That same day, the JTWC upgraded the storm to cyclone status, the equivalent of a minimal Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale.[14] Around the same time, the IMD upgraded Nargis to a severe cyclonic storm.[18] The cyclone developed a concentric eye feature, which is an eyewall outside another eyewall,[19] with warm waters aiding in further intensification.[20] Early on 29 April, the JTWC estimated Nargis reached winds of 160 km/h (100 mph),[21] and at the same time, the IMD classified the system as a very severe cyclonic storm.[22] Initially, the cyclone was forecast to strike Bangladesh or southeastern India.[23][24] Subsequently, the cyclone became disorganised and weakened due to subsidence and drier air; as a result, deep convection near the center markedly decreased. At the same time, the storm began a motion to the northeast, around the periphery of a ridge to its southeast.[25] The circulation remained strong despite the diminishing convection, though satellite intensity estimates using the Dvorak technique indicated the cyclone could have weakened to tropical storm status.[26] By late on 29 April, convection had begun to rebuild,[27] though immediate restrengthening was prevented by increased wind shear.[28]
On 1 May 2008, after turning nearly due eastward, Cyclone Nargis began rapidly intensifying, due to greatly improved outflow aided by an approaching upper-level trough.[29] Strengthening continued as Nargis developed a well-defined eye with a diameter of 19 km (12 mi), and early on 2 May, the JTWC estimated that the cyclone reached peak 1-minute winds of 215 km/h (135 mph), as it approached the coast of Myanmar, making it a Category 4 storm.[30] At the same time, the IMD assessed Nargis as attaining peak 3-minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph).[31] Around 1200 UTC on 2 May, Cyclone Nargis made landfall in the Ayeyarwady Division of Myanmar at peak strength.[32] The storm gradually weakened as it proceeded east over Myanmar, with its proximity to the Andaman Sea preventing rapid weakening. Its track turned to the northeast due to the approach of a mid-latitude trough to its northwest, passing just north of Yangon with winds of 130 km/h (80 mph).[33] Early on 3 May, the IMD issued its final advisory on the storm.[34] Nargis quickly weakened after turning to the northeast, toward the rugged terrain near the Myanmar–Thailand border, and after deteriorating to minimal tropical storm status, the JTWC issued its last advisory on Nargis.[35]
Impact
editRank | Name/Year | Region | Fatalities |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Bhola 1970 | Bangladesh | 300,000 |
2 | Bangladesh 1991 | Bangladesh | 138,866 |
3 | Nargis 2008 | Myanmar | 138,373 |
4 | Unnamed 1911 | Bangladesh | 120,000 |
5 | Unnamed 1917 | Bangladesh | 70,000 |
6 | Harriet 1962 | Thailand, Bangladesh | 50,935 |
7 | Unnamed 1919 | Bangladesh | 40,000 |
8 | Nina 1975 | China | 26,000 |
9 | Unnamed 1958 | Bangladesh | 12,000 |
Unnamed 1965 | Bangladesh |
Western Bay of Bengal
editOn 27 and 28 April, the cyclone enhanced the South-West Monsoon over Sri Lanka, which resulted in very heavy rain, flooding, and landslides being reported within the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces.[40][41] The districts of Ratnapura and Kegalle were the most affected, where more than 3,000 families were displaced.[41] Thousands of houses were flooded, with 21 reported destroyed. The rainfall left 4,500 people homeless, and more than 35,000 people were affected on the island.[41][42] Three people were reported injured on the island, while two were reported dead.[41]
The India Meteorological Department recommended that fishermen should not sail on the ocean during the passage of Nargis. Strong waves and gusty winds were expected along the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coastline in India.[17] Additionally, the influence of the cyclone lowered temperatures along the Indian coastline, which had been affected by a severe heat wave.[43]
When the cyclone was originally expected to strike near Bangladesh, officials requested farmers to hurriedly finish harvesting the rice crop. At the time, the country was experiencing severe food shortages from Cyclone Sidr in the previous year and flooding earlier in the year, and a direct strike from Nargis would have resulted in destroyed crops due to strong winds.[44]
Myanmar
editThe United Nations estimated that 1.5 million people were "severely affected" by Nargis.[45] It was the deadliest tropical cyclone in the North Indian Ocean since the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone, with estimates of people missing at 53,836 and 84,537 confirmed dead.[3] At least 10,000 people were reported to have perished in the delta town of Bogale alone.[46] The total death total is unknown, as critics of the junta argue that the numbers where unreported to avoid political fallout. It is now thought that hundreds of thousands of people will never be found after Nargis because their bodies have decayed, been buried, or were washed out to sea.[47] Some NGOs estimated that the final death toll would be over 100,000, while one Save The Children's aid worker claimed that the death toll from the cyclone and its aftermath might reach 300,000; if correct, Nargis was the second-deadliest cyclone ever and the fifth-deadliest natural disaster since 1900, after the 1931 China floods.[48][49] Other more deadly natural disasters include the 1887 Yellow River flood, the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake, and the 1970 Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh.
Andrew Kirkwood, country director of the British charity Save The Children, stated: "We're looking at 50,000 dead and millions of homeless, I'd characterise it as unprecedented in the history of Myanmar and on an order of magnitude with the effect of the [2004] tsunami on individual countries. There might well be more dead than the tsunami caused in Sri Lanka."[50] Foreign aid workers estimated that 2 million to 3 million were homeless, often going to one of 260,000 refugee camps in Myanmar. It was likely the worst disaster in Myanmar's history, and the total damages were comparable to that of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.[51]
Thousands of buildings were destroyed; in the town of Labutta, in the Ayeyarwady Division, state television reported that 75 percent of buildings had collapsed and 20 percent had their roofs ripped off.[52] One report indicated that 95 percent of buildings in the Irrawaddy Delta area were destroyed.[53] The Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that 1,163 temples were destroyed in Ayeyarwady Division and 284 in Yangon Division.[54]
The Burmese government formally declared five regions—Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago Divisions and Mon and Kayin States— as disaster areas.[citation needed]
A United Nations official commented as follows: "It's a bad situation. Almost all the houses are smashed. People are in a terrible situation." Another UN official said that "The Irrawaddy delta was hit extremely hard not only because of the wind and rain but because of the storm surge." Burst sewage mains caused the landscape to flood with waste, ruining the rice crop.[55]
The Daily Telegraph (UK) reported that food prices in Myanmar could be affected.[56] Woradet Wirawekhin (th: วรเดช วีระเวคิน), deputy director general of Thailand's Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on 7 May 2008 that, in reference to a report submitted by Bansan Bunnak (th: บรรสาน บุนนาค), the Thai ambassador in Yangon, conditions in the city had deteriorated and that most businesses and markets were closed. Mr. Wirawekhin also reported that the locals faced even more adversity in basic subsistence, because local food prices had increased two- or threefold.[57]
Aftermath
editInternational relief
editOn 6 May 2008, the Burmese government representation in New York City formally asked the United Nations for help, but in other ways it remained resistant to the most basic assistance.[50] On 7 May 2008, the government of Myanmar had not officially endorsed international assistance, but stated that they were, "willing to accept international assistance, preferably bilateral, government to government." The biggest challenge was obtaining visas for entry into the country.[citation needed]
According to Thai Rath Newspaper of Thailand on 8 May 2008,[58] in the afternoon (Bangkok time) of 7 May 2008, the Burmese junta permitted Italian flights containing relief supplies from the United Nations, and twenty-five tonnes of consumable goods, to land in Myanmar. However, many nations and organisations hoped to deliver assistance and relief to Myanmar without delay; most of their officials, supplies and stores were waiting in Thailand and at the Yangon airport, as the Burmese junta declined to issue visas for many of those individuals. These political tensions raised the concern that some food and medical supplies might become unusable, even before the Burmese junta officially accepted the international relief effort.[citation needed]
Bangladesh
editBangladesh, which has had experience with cyclones in the past, was one of the first countries to supply aid to Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. Two planes carrying aid, organised by the Bangladesh Army, were sent to Myanmar on 8 May 2008. They carried stockpiles of emergency aid and hundreds of aid workers with experience in coping with the aftermath of a cyclone.[59]
India
editIndia, one of the few countries which maintains close relations with Myanmar, launched Operation Sahayata[60] under which two Indian Navy ships and two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft supplied the first international relief material to the cyclone-hit country.[61] The two aircraft carried 4 tonnes of relief supplies each while the Indian Navy transported more than 100 tonnes of relief material.[62] On 8 May, the IAF dispatched its third air consignment carrying over 32 tonnes of relief material including tents, blankets and medicines.[63] India planned to send more aid to Burma.[64] In a separate development, Burma denied Indian search and rescue teams and media access to critical cyclone-hit areas.[65] India released a statement saying it had requested Burma to accept international aid especially that from the United States,[66] to which Burma agreed.[67][68] According to various reports, Indian authorities had warned Burma about the danger that Cyclone Nargis posed 48 hours before it hit the country's coast.[69] As of 16 May 2008, India's offer to send a team of 50 medical personnel to set up two independent mini-hospitals in the Irrawaddy delta was accepted by the Burmese government.[70] An aircraft carrying the team of doctors was being prepared at Delhi's Palam Air Force Base.[71]
Italy
editItaly provided €465,000 (about $732,282) worth of aid in the form of 30 tons of emergency relief equipment, such as stretchers, generators, and water purifiers in a flight organised by the World Food Program (WFP). The flight arrived in Yangon on 8 May. This was the first aid flight from a Western nation, preceded only by aid from Thailand.[72][73]
In addition to this aid, the Italian government provided €500,000 through the WFP and €500,000 through funding to relief agencies through the UN. An additional €123,000 was provided through the Red Cross, as well as €300,000 worth of further financing for emergency equipment.[citation needed]
Malaysia
editMercy Malaysia also trained 180 doctors from the Myanmar Medical Association in Yangon for deployment in the Irrawaddy Delta.[74] RM 1.8 mil was collected for victims of Myanmar's cyclone victims through The Star Myanmar Relief Fund and handed to Mercy Malaysia executive council member Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus.[75] A second Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) disaster relief team was sent to Myanmar on 21 May 2008.[citation needed]
Thailand
editThailand sent US$100,000 in supplies, thirty tonnes of medical supplies and twelve tonnes of food supplies from Thai Red Cross. Additionally, Chaiya Sasomsap, Minister of Public Health of Thailand, stated that the Government had already sent medical supplies valued more than one billion baht ($31.3 million) to Myanmar. Furthermore, the Government of Thailand dispatched, upon the permission of the Burmese junta, twenty medical teams and twenty quick communicable disease suppression units. Samak Sundaravej stated that "if Myanmar gives the green light allowing us to help, our Air Force will provide C-130 aircraft to carry our teams there. This should not be precipitately carried out, it has to have the permission of their government."[76] On 7 May 2008, those units, with their subordinate aeroplanes, were permitted to land in Yangon, carrying drinking water and construction material.[77]
United Kingdom
editOne of the largest sums was donated by the United Kingdom which committed £17 million (approx US$33.5 million).[78] The UK's Department for International Development sent an international relief team to help with the co-ordination of the international relief effort. Another team from the same department was also on the ground inside Myanmar.[79] The Royal Navy dispatched HMS Westminster to the area to assist. This ship was part of the Orion 08 group deployment but was detached on a contingency tasking. This mission was codenamed Operation Songster. Prime Minister Gordon Brown remained extremely critical of the Burmese régime and had not ruled out violating Burmese sovereignty by carrying out "forced airdrops" to deliver aid.[80]
United States
editOn 5 May, US Chargé d'affaires in Myanmar Shari Villarosa declared a disaster due to the effects of Cyclone Nargis. In response, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and immediately provided $2 million to UNICEF, WFP, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for emergency food, water and sanitation, and shelter assistance.[citation needed]
On 6 May, an additional $3 million from USAID was allocated for the provision of emergency relief assistance, including $1 million to the American Red Cross and $2 million for NGO partners and on 12 May, USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore announced $13 million in food aid and logistics assistance through the World Food Programme.[citation needed]
From 12 to 20 May, USAID and the US Department of Defense (DOD) coordinated the delivery of nearly $1.2 million of US relief commodities to Rangoon on 185 DOD C-130 flights. The relief supplies would provide assistance to more than 113,000 beneficiaries. The DOD efforts were under the direction of Joint Task Force Caring Response.[81]
As of 26 June 2008, United States assistance had totalled $41,169,769 and continued to be directed by the USAID DART stationed in Thailand.[82]
Other relief efforts
editOn 15 May, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) launched the Burmese HIC website. The purpose of the site was to improve information exchange and collaboration between operational agencies responding to Cyclone Nargis. Based in Bangkok, the HIC was providing support to the Humanitarian Partnership Team and other humanitarian partners in Yangon, as well as those based in Bangkok.[citation needed]
By 8 May 2008, the Foundation for the People of Burma had a team on the ground in Rangoon and beyond providing direct assistance to thousands of refugees. Since this organisation was administered by Buddhist volunteers and already had tacit permission from the Burmese government, all donations went directly for supplies.[citation needed]
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies had pledged $189,000 for relief.[83] The federation had also launched an appeal of a further CHF73.9 million.[84] Red Cross spokesman Matt Cochrane said that cyclone survivors needed everything. They needed emergency shelter to keep them dry, including food supplies. He said stagnant waters were a perfect breeding ground for the malaria mosquito, so insecticide-treated nets were needed.[85] The Red Cross suffered a setback when a boat carrying supplies sank when it hit a submerged tree. Everyone aboard survived, but most of the cargo was lost.[86] Ten Red Cross/Red Crescent relief flights carrying medical and shelter supplies were due to land in Yangon on 12 May.[87]
Trocaire has been active in Myanmar since 1995 and were the first Irish aid agency to gain access after Cyclone Nargis. Relief work has been conducted mainly through local partners and membership of the international federation Caritas Internationalis. Trocaire had appealed for the focus of humanitarian work in Myanmar not to be lost in the wake of China's more recent earthquake.[88]
Save the Children, one of the few agencies allowed to work in Myanmar, said the toll would likely sharply grow in the next few days as help reached isolated areas.[89] On 18 May, it announced that it believed that thirty thousand children younger than five were already facing malnutrition and could starve in under a month if food did not reach them.[90]
Médecins Sans Frontières landed a plane of 40 tons of relief and medical supplies in Rangoon. After clearing customs the supplies were transferred to local MSF warehouses. They have approximately 200 workers in the region, many of whom have been involved in long-term projects there and were already in the region.[91]
World Vision launched a US$3 million appeal and sought to get international aid into the country. Staff on the ground were working to distribute food, water and other non-food items while WV Myanmar managers sought approval from the government to work in the worst affected areas and to bring in aid from outside.[92]
Local NGOs also responded to the emergency, many adapting from human-rights or women's focuses to humanitarian emergency relief.[93]
Country | Contribution[94] |
---|---|
Association of Southeast Asian Nations | An assessment team and 30 medical personnel per country.[95] |
Australia | A$25 million (US$23.5 million)[96] and 31 tonnes of supplies.[97] |
Bangladesh | 20 tonnes of food, medicine |
Belgium | €250,000 (US$387,000) and €100,000 from Flanders |
Brazil | Zinc roofing tiles, canvas tents and first aid items. |
Brunei | Relief materials[98] |
Cambodia | ៛ 193,120,000[99] |
Canada | Up to US$2 million in emergency relief, $500,000 of which is for the Red Cross, Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is on standby; additional aid to come[100] |
China | US$10 million in aid and relief materials (including 3 flights using Jade Cargo each consisting of 60 tonnes of aid)[101] |
Czech Republic | US$154,000 |
Denmark | US$2.1 million[102] |
European Union | US$3.0 million |
Estonia | US$51,200 |
Finland | €300,000 (US$464,000)[103] |
France | 1,500 tons of medicine, food, and water;[86] US$775,000 |
Germany | US$3.0 million |
Greece | US$200,000, medicine and humanitarian aid[104] |
Hungary | Ft48,903,000 (US$300,000), medicine, food, humanitarian aid |
India | More than 178 tonnes of relief materials; tents, food supplies, medicines. A team of 50 medical personnel was sent to set up hospitals in the Irrawaddy delta.[71][70] |
Indonesia | Rp 9,212,300,000 (US$1 million) in cash and other aids in foods and medicines |
Ireland | €1,000,000 (US$1,550,000) |
Israel | US$100,000, food and medical supplies by private organisations |
Italy | €1,500,000 (US$2,250,000)[105] |
Japan | JPY ¥28 million in tents and generators = US$267,000; US$10 million through UN World Food Program & US$570,000 pledged assistance[106] |
Laos | ₭171,540,000 (US$20,000) worth of food[107] |
Lithuania | Lithuanian government donated Lt200,000 ($90,000) to Red Cross.[108] |
Malaysia | RM12,965,800 (US$4,100,000) |
North Macedonia | ден1,964,000 (US$50,000)[109] |
Netherlands | €1,000,000 (US$1,550,000) |
New Zealand | NZ$3.5 million[110] |
Norway | Up to US$1.96 million[111] |
Pakistan | Relief materials and setting up of a mobile hospital in the affected region upon approval of Burmese government.[112] |
Philippines | Medical workers and US$3,000,000 and relief goods in cash and C-130 Hecules with Aid[113] |
Russia | 80 tonnes of food (US$ ~5,500,000 for 30 tonnes of grain delivered in October 2015[b]), generators, medicine, tents and blankets[114] |
San Marino | €30,000[115] |
Serbia | Relief materials, medicines and medical supply.[116] |
Singapore | US$200,000[117] |
Spain | US$775,000 donation to World Food Programme |
Sri Lanka | US$100,000 plus food and assistance of medical workers |
Sweden | Logistical support and water cleaning systems |
Switzerland | US$475,000 (initial) |
Taiwan (R.O.C.) | US$200,000 |
Thailand | US$100,000, food and medical supplies (initial)[118] |
Turkey | US$1,000,000 from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US$600,000 from Turkish Red Crescent[119] |
Ukraine | 40 tonnes of medicine, tents and blankets[120] |
United Kingdom | £45 million committed (US$73.5 million at 7 November 2008, exchange rate),[121] HMS Westminster[122] |
United States | US$196 million (2008–2012)[123] |
Vietnam | ₫3,195,000,000 (US$200,000) |
Myanmar controversy
editMilitary junta's blockade of aid
editIn the days after the storm, the junta pursued a CNN reporter covering the effects of the storm. The reporter was eventually forced to leave the country out of fear of being imprisoned.[124]
On 9 May 2008, the junta officially declared that their acceptance of international aid relief would be limited to food, medicines and other supplies as well as financial aid, but would not allow additional foreign aid workers or military units to operate in the country. Samak Sundaravej, Prime Minister of Thailand, stated that, following the request of Eric G. John, US Ambassador to Thailand, he would visit Myanmar on 11 May to urge the junta to open the country. Quinton Quayle, UK Ambassador to Thailand, later remarked that he would also join Sundaravej.[125] However, the junta immediately replied that it was not willing to welcome anyone at this time. Sundaravej said that he would still submit the mediating letter to the junta without delay.[126]
The delays had attracted international condemnation. Also, on 9 May in Bangkok, Richard Horsey, spokesperson of the United Nations, urged Myanmar to accept a full scale international relief effort.[127] United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the junta to allow aid in "without hindrance". Ban's comments came after the World Food Programme resumed food aid after two shipments of high energy biscuits were stolen by the military.[128] The House of Commons of Canada condemned the Burmese government's response in a resolution passed unanimously on 9 May 2008.[100] Oxfam International's regional chief Sarah Ireland warned that 1.5 million face death if they did not get clean water and sanitation soon: "It's really crucial that people get access to clean water sources and sanitation to avoid unnecessary deaths and suffering."[129] Myanmar's government seemed unaware of the scope of the death and destruction Cyclone Nargis wrought on the country more than a week ago, it was reported 13 May 2008.[130] Some critics were even suggesting genocide since the Burmese government had deliberately denied storm victims aid, allowing for hundreds of thousands to potentially die from starvation, exposure, and disease.[131]
On 16 May 2008, the Burmese UN ambassador accused France of deploying a warship to the Burmese coast. The French UN ambassador denied the LHD Mistral[citation needed] was a warship, and claimed Myanmar's refusal to allow increased aid into the country "could lead to a true crime against humanity." France stated the ship in question was carrying 1,500 tons of relief supplies.[132] UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown accused the ruling junta of allowing the disaster to grow into a "man-made catastrophe" through its failure to act. He also rebuked the junta as being guilty of inhuman actions.[133]
On 19 May, Myanmar agreed to allow aid from members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enter. The decision came after an emergency ASEAN summit. The aid would start arriving 21 May. Ban Ki-moon would probably visit the country the same day to "accelerate relief efforts".[95] That day, Ban announced that Myanmar was going to "allow all aid workers regardless of nationality" to enter, although ships and helicopters were still not expected to be allowed. The announcement came after Ban had met with junta leader General Than Shwe for over two hours. Organizations welcoming the announcement included World Vision, the World Food Programme, and the International Rescue Committee.[134]
On 23 May, negotiations between UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Than Shwe resulted in the opening of Myanmar to aid workers, regardless of nationality. Myanmar's government was still staunchly opposed to the presence of military units in the country, only allowing dedicated relief workers.[135] On 5 June, a USS Essex-led American carrier group full of aid left the Burmese coast after being denied entry for several weeks, taking its aid back undelivered.[136]
On 27 May, to complicate world opinion and in contrast to numerous and varied accounts from international relief organisations, the Burmese junta praised U.N. aid.[137]
On 5 June 2008, Amnesty International released a report saying that at least thirty people had been evicted from refugee camps. The report also indicated that the military was horse-trading aid for physical labour.[136]
Uninterrupted referendum
editDespite objections raised by the Burmese opposition parties and foreign nations in the wake of the natural disaster, the junta proceeded with a previously scheduled (10 May 2008) constitutional referendum. Voting however was postponed until 24 May 2008 in Yangon and other areas hardest hit by the storm.[138]
On 8 May 2008, about thirty protesters assembled before Myanmar's embassy in Manila, Philippines, demanding that the junta defer voting on the referendum and immediately accept international relief. The Philippine protesters delivered the statement that "this time is not the time for politics, but it is the time to save people." The United States Government also demanded that the United Nations not endorse the referendum. Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Burmese opposition, also stated that holding a vote for the referendum during this disaster would be a consummately unacceptable act.[58] About 500 Burmese activists demonstrated on 10 May outside their country's embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, demanding that Burma's military regime call off its constitutional referendum even as voting began despite a devastating cyclone.[139]
In a public poll conducted throughout Myanmar on 9 May 2008 by Mizzima, a Myanmar news agency, 64% of those surveyed still intended to vote in the referendum. However, 71% did not know what the constitution was, and 52% had not yet decided whether they would vote to support or oppose it.[140]
Aid distribution controversy
editAP news stories stated that foreign aid provided to disaster victims was modified to make it look like it came from the military regime, and state-run television continuously ran images of General Than Shwe ceremonially handing out disaster relief.[141]
More than a week after the disaster, only one out of 10 people who were homeless, injured or threatened by disease and hunger had received some kind of aid.[141] More than two weeks later, relief had only reached 25 percent of people in need.[142]
Nine days after the cyclone, the military government was still refusing to grant visas and access for aid workers into the area. The UN called for an air or sea corridor to be opened to channel large amounts of aid,[143] and HMS Westminster was sent to the area, alongside French and United States military assets.[144]
Activists respond to the blockade of aid
editA Facebook.com page called Support the Relief Efforts for Burma (Myanmar) Cyclone Disaster Victims with 10,000 members used its members to organise a Global Day Of Action for Burma on 17 May 2008.[145] with the help of Burma Global Action Network, Burma Campaign UK, Canadian Friends of Burma, the US Campaign for Burma, Info Birmanie, as well as countless local partners, a Global Day of Action for Burma a call for Humanitarian Intervention was held on 17 May 2008, in cities worldwide. An apparent response to the junta's blockade of aid to the Cyclone Nargis victims, the international community called for a humanitarian corridor to get aid into the hardest hit areas of Myanmar.[146]
Records
editNargis set many records for its death toll and its damage. In addition, when Nargis reached Category 4 on the SSHS on 2 May, it marked the only time that a Category 4 storm had formed in this basin for three consecutive years: starting with Mala (2006), going into 2007 with Sidr and Gonu, and ending with Nargis. It was the costliest storm in the Indian Ocean cyclone basin in recorded history at the time;[147] it was eventually surpassed by Cyclone Amphan in 2020.
The official death toll of the cyclone is 84,537 with 53,836 people reported missing at the time of the PDNA and 19,359 injured.[148]
Private relief
editSeveral international organisations were approved to support relief efforts within the country:
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) assisted survivors in the severely-affected Irrawaddy Delta by providing food aid, access to water, medical assistance, kitchen kits, and other necessary relief.
- The Aidmatrix Foundation provided an online co-ordination portal connecting businesses, groups and individuals wishing to offer products, services, or financial contributions.[149]
- The American Jewish World Service provided emergency support to local organisations responding to immediate needs.
- Architecture for Humanity provided long-term support for sustainable reconstruction of housing, schools, clinics and other critical infrastructure.
- Giving Children Hope sent emergency supplies to local partner organisations.[150]
- CARE had offices in Yangon that were damaged.[151]
- Italian aid organisation Cesvi operated in over 40 villages in the Dedaye Township.
- Chevron Corporation contributed US$2 million, of which half went to the International Federation of the Red Cross and the other half was allocated to four other organisations: the International Organization for Migration, Mercy Corps, Pact and Save the Children.[152]
- The Church World Service worked with the Myanmar Council of Churches on the relief effort.
- Direct Relief worked with several local partner groups and organisations.[153]
- Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières had more than 200 aid workers responding on the ground.[154]
- GlobalGiving had several targeted relief projects with grassroots organisations already in Myanmar, including the International Medical Corps and CHF International.
- Baptist World Aid operated search, rescue and medical teams, and also prepared humanitarian relief and a special water purification and clean water packing (waterbags) unit.
- Hewlett-Packard Foundation made a donation of US$250,000 via the World Food Programme (WFP).
- Lutheran World Relief worked through the Church World Service.[155]
- LDS Church delivered several tonnes of food, blankets, and other supplies.
- LIRNEasia, an Asia Pacific-based telecom think tank made their donations through Lekadhikari of Amarapura nikaya, Sri Lanka.
- Mingalar Foundation, a Myanmar-based NGO, distributed food, clean water, shelter and medicine to 37,000+ unreached people (about 7,000 families) in 9 affected areas everyday, also accepting donations online with the help of Samui Island Hotels (USA/Thailand).
- Myanmar Red Cross appealed for help and is on the ground.[156]
- Proximity Designs distributed US$17.9 million in aid to 2.49 million people following the storm and continues to help farming families rebuild through cash-for-work infrastructure projects in 214 villages throughout the Irrawaddy Delta.
- Save the Children is "one of the largest non-governmental organizations at work in Myanmar" and has launched a full scale relief effort.[157]
- Sewa International has a network of volunteers and partner organisations active in the affected areas.
- ShelterBox Australian and other Rotary International bodies are assisting. ShelterBoxes started arriving on 10 May.[158]
- UNICEF is in country and has already provided relief supplies.[159]
- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee has joined with the Unitarian Universalist Association to launch a humanitarian relief fund to help survivors of the cyclone in Myanmar. The UUSC responds strategically to crises, especially when rights are threatened or when those in need are overlooked or neglected by traditional relief approaches.
- World Relief is working with partners in the Global Relief Alliance to bring vital aid to thousands in desperate need in the aftermath of the storm.
- World Vision has 600 staff on the ground.[160]
- Nargis Action Group Myanmar Egress was involved in disaster relief operations in 4 severely damaged townships in the Delta region. In so doing, Myanmar Egress collaborated with some business companies that have been granted permission by the authorities to undertake in the rescue and relief work in several storm-hit areas in the delta. Myanmar Egress engaged in all these disaster relief activities under the name of "Nargis Action Group Myanmar".
Impact on rice supplies
editThe Irrawaddy Delta is such a fertile area for rice growing that it was known as the "rice bowl" of the British Empire.[161] Production was high enough that Myanmar could feed its citizens a high amount of rice (by the standards of Asia) with enough left over to sell on the market. Since Nargis hit right around harvest, a rice shortage and famine could result. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that Nargis impacted 65% of the country's paddies. They feel that the situation would be "devastating... if the recent disaster results in severe rice shortages." This might exacerbate the crisis already occurring, but it could be partially alleviated if fall and late summer harvests were good.[162] Myanmar had since appealed for aid to assist with getting the rice planted, as its farmers had a 40- to 50-day window of opportunity before the season's crop would be lost.[163] The Myanmar government estimated losses of US$10 billion because of the cyclone.[164]
Update
editThe UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) reported the extent of the international response as less than 7 percent of the actual needs for shelter after 15 months, although emergency shelter relief efforts were well funded. It estimated about 209,000 families had rebuilt their own homes after the first year. Out of US$150 million requested for shelter repair and reconstruction under the Post Nargis Recovery Plan (PONREPP) — a three-year recovery strategy running to 2011 — only US$50 million had been received.[165]
See also
edit- 1970 Bhola cyclone – The deadliest tropical cyclone recorded worldwide
- Cyclone Mala (2006)
- Cyclone Giri (2010)
- Cyclone Komen (2015)
- Cyclone Mora (2017)
- Cyclone Mocha (2023)
- List of natural disasters by death toll
- Timeline of the 2008 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- Tropical cyclones in Myanmar
Notes
edit- ^ Including 203,000+ indirect deaths caused by the failure of the Banqiao Dam, which brings Typhoon Nina's total death toll to more than 229,000. Excluding indirect deaths, Nina's fatality count would only stand at 26,000+, making Nargis the deadliest named tropical cyclone in history.
- ^ In prices of one bushel at the time of delivery.
References
edit- ^ ""80,000 dead in one Burma province"". The Australian. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009.
- ^ "Cyclone Nargis embodied the 'perfect storm'". NBC News. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in 2008: North America and Asia suffer heavy losses" (PDF). Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd. 21 January 2009. p. 24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
- ^ "Burma death toll jumps to 78,000". BBC News. 16 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
- ^ "Aid trickles into Burma, but toll 'could reach 1 million if disease set in". London: Timesonline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Asian bloc to handle Burma aid". Toronto Star. 19 May 2008. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ "Amphan: Cyclone wreaks deadly havoc in India and Bangladesh". BBC News. 20 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Nandi, Jayashree; Thakur, Joydeep (18 May 2020). "Super Cyclonic Storm #Amphan is the 1st SUCS in the Bay of Bengal since the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ Bose, Joydeep (19 May 2020). "Cyclone 'Amphan' LIVE updates: Second super cyclone after 1999, moving with wind speed of 200-240 kmph, says IMD". DNA India. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ Klug, Foster (12 May 2008). "Bush says world should condemn Myanmar". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
- ^ "India urges Myanmar to accept global aid, junta agrees". New Kerala. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
- ^ "The Center for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) disaster figures for 2008" (PDF). Unisdr.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Report on Cyclonic Disturbances Over the North Indian During 2008" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. January 2009. pp. 26–33. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ a b "JTWC 2008 best track analysis: Tropical Cyclone 01B: Nargis". United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original (DAT) on 16 December 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone 01B Warning April 27, 2008 15z". United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 27 April 2008. Archived from the original on 30 August 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone 01B Warning April 27, 2008 21z". United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 27 April 2008. Archived from the original on 30 August 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ a b India Meteorological Department (2008). "Cyclonic storm "NARGIS" over southwest and adjoining southeast and west central Bay of Bengal". Archived from the original on 24 April 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ India Meteorological Department (2008). "Severe Cyclonic storm "NARGIS" over southwest and adjoining southeast and west central Bay of Bengal". Archived from the original on 24 April 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 005". Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 006". Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 007". Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ India Meteorological Department (2008). "Very Severe Cyclonic storm "NARGIS" over westcentral and adjoining southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal". Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Sify News (28 April 2008). "Cyclone Nargis triggers fears in Tamil Nadu". Sify. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ Daily Star (29 April 2008). "Cyclone Nargis poised to strike in 4–5 days". Archived from the original on 5 May 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 008". Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 009". Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 010". Retrieved 2 May 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 012". Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 017". Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 020". Retrieved 2 May 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ India Meteorological Department (2008). "Tropical Storm "Nargis" Advisory No. Thirty-Six Issued At 1100 UTC of 2 May 2008 Based on 0900 UTC Charts of 2 May 2008". Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ India Meteorological Department (2008). "2 May, 2008 Shipping Bulletin for Met. Area VIII North of Equator". Archived from the original on 30 August 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 023". Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ India Meteorological Department (2008). "Tropical Storm "Nargis" Advisory No. Forty-One Issued At 0200 UTC of 3 May 2008 Based on 0000 UTC Charts of 3 May 2008". Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2008). "Cyclone Nargis Warning NR 025". Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ NOAA
- ^ MDR
- ^ Climatological Center, Meteorological Development Bureau (2011). Tropical cyclones in Thailand: Historical data 1951–2010 (PDF) (Report). Thai Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ https://www.academia.edu/14280191/CYCLONE_HAZARD_IN_BANGLADESH
- ^ Sri Lanka Meteorological Department (2009). Country Report: Sri Lanka (PDF). WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones Thirty-Sixth Session. Muscat, Oman: World Meteorological Organization. p. 125. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Floods leave thousands homeless". Daily Mirror. 30 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ Lakshmi de Silva (30 April 2008). "Over 35,000 affected by floods, landslides". Upali Newspapers Limited. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ Press Trust of India (28 April 2008). "Orissa heat deaths rise to eight as cyclonic storm forms over Bay". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ Herman, Steve (29 April 2008). "Bangladesh's Farmers Told Not to Panic About Approaching Cyclone". VOA News. Archived from the original on 2 May 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "UN says 1.5 million people affected by Myanmar storm". Reuters. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014.
- ^ Tun, Aung Hla (6 May 2008). "Cyclone kills 10,000 in one Myanmar town, aid promised". Reuters India. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Myanmar cyclone dead will 'never' be identified". CNN. 8 June 2008. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
- ^ Alexander, David (6 May 2008). "Myanmar deaths may top 100,000: U.S. diplomat". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
- ^ Lavery, Charles (18 May 2008). "Scots aid worker predicts Burma cyclone death toll will reach 300,000". Sunday Mail. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
- ^ a b Denby, Kenneth (7 May 2008). "Burma cyclone: up to 50,000 dead and millions homeless, but still no call for aid". The Times. London, England, UK. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
- ^ "Myanmar/Burma – Cyclone Nargis 2008". internationalmedicalrelief.org. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020.
- ^ "Hundreds killed by Burma cyclone". BBC News. 4 May 2008. Archived from the original on 6 May 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
- ^ "UN relief planes arrive in Burma, others set to follow". CBC News. Associated Press & Canadian Press. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Thailand to Help Rebuild Temples in the Irrawaddy Delta". Irrawaddy. 13 January 2009. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ^ "UPDATE 1-Myanmar cyclone stirs more rice supply fears". In.reuters.com. 5 May 2008. Archived from the original on 6 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ Bell, Thomas (5 May 2008). "Burma cyclone kills more than 350 people". The Daily Telegraph. London, England, UK. Archived from the original on 6 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
- ^ [clarification needed]"ต้นโพธิ์ทรงปลูกรอดพายุ พระเทพฯ ทรงห่วงพม่า" (in Thai). Thai Rath. 17 April 2009. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009.
- ^ a b [clarification needed] พม่านับล้านไร้ที่อยู่ ศพอืดเน่า ผวาโรคระบาดซํ้า. Thai Rath (in Thai). 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Bangladesh aid arrives in Burma". BBC News. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2010.
- ^ "Naval ships discharge supplies in Yangon". The Hindu. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008.
- ^ "Indian ships first to arrive with relief supplies in Myanmar". Thaindian News. 7 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
- ^ "India to send 8 tonnes of relief material to Myanmar". Thaindian News. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
- ^ "India sends third air consignment to cyclone victims in Myanmar". Daily India. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
- ^ "India plans to send more medical supplies to cyclone-hit Myanmar". Times of India. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.
- ^ AGENCIES (10 May 2008). "India to send more relief to Myanmar on May 10 – The Economic Times". Economictimes.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ Tighe, Paul (13 May 2008). "Asia". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News". Tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "India urges Myanmar to accept global aid, junta agrees". Thaindian.com. 13 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "If Myanmar had taken note of India's warning..." Rediff.com. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022.
- ^ a b Bagchi, Indrani (18 May 2008). "India works to end Myanmar's isolation". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
- ^ a b Majumder, Sanjoy (16 May 2008). "India sends doctors to Burma". BBC News. Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
- ^ "Ministero degli Affari Esteri – 05 – Volo umanitario in Myanmar". Esteri.it. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Logistics Consolidated Situation Report – 9th May 2008 — Logistics Information Platform". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
- ^ Loh Foon Fong (29 May 2008). "Mercy prepares 180 physicians for service in Irrawaddy Delta". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
- ^ "RM1.8mil collected for cyclone victims". The Star (Malaysia). 21 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2008.
- ^ [clarification needed] ในหลวง-ราชินี สลดพระทัย พม่าพุ่ง 2 หมื่นศพ. Thai Rath (in Thai). 7 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
- ^ [clarification needed] "ต้นโพธิ์ทรงปลูกรอดพายุ พระเทพฯ ทรงห่วงพม่า". Thai Rath (in Thai). 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009.
- ^ "UK gives £12m more aid to Burma". BBC News. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "£5 million UK aid for Burma". ReliefWeb. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018.
- ^ "Burma 'guilty of inhuman action'". BBC News. 17 May 2008. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Joint Task Force Caring Response brings help to Burmese citizens". United States Air Force. 21 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012.
- ^ "USAID Responds to Cyclone Nargis". USAID. 2 July 2008. Archived from the original on 8 July 2008.
- ^ Starr, Barbara (6 May 2008). "Some aid delivered in cyclone-ravaged Myanmar". CNN. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
- ^ "Myanmar: Red Cross Red Crescent Launches Revised Emergency Appeal". International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 9 July 2008. Archived from the original on 12 July 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
- ^ Lisa Schlein (7 May 2008). "Red Cross Issues Multi-Million Dollar Appeal for Burma". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ a b "U.S. to begin aid airlift to Myanmar". CNN. 11 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
- ^ "Red Cross aid reaching Myanmar". British Red Cross. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 8 January 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
- ^ Trocaire (16 May 2008). "Reports from Burma of chaos and devastation among survivors". Trocaire. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Aid workers race to reach Myanmar cyclone victims". Turkish Press. Associated Press. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Burmese children facing starvation, agency warns". CBC News. 18 May 2008. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ Médecins Sans Frontières (12 May 2008). "First MSF cargo plane reinforces medical and logistical material in Myanmar". Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
- ^ "Cyclone Nargis Response Information Centre". Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
- ^ "Publications: Listening to Voices from Inside: Myanmar Civil Society's Response to Cyclone Nargis" (PDF). Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ Staff Writer (6 May 2008). "Aid starting to trickle into Burma: agencies". CTV. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
- ^ a b "Burma agrees to accept ASEAN cyclone aid". CNN. 19 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ "Aus increases aid". Sky News Australia. 7 May 2008. Archived from the original on 30 June 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
- ^ "Australia's cyclone contribution the biggest". The Daily Telegraph. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
- ^ "Brunei to send relief supplies for Myanmar cyclone-hit". Brunei Times. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Cambodia donates $50,000 to cyclone-hit Myanmar – People's Daily Online". English.people.com.cn. 7 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ a b "MPs condemn Burma's 'deplorable' cyclone response". CBC News. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Tents 'still lacking' for quake survivors, says Chinese premier". Cbc.ca. 24 May 2008. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Fogh lufter militær nødhjælp til Myanmar" [Fogh flies military relief to Myanmar]. Jyllands-Posten Indland (in Danish). 13 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
- ^ "Finland to send emergency assistance to Myanmar". Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland. 7 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
- ^ "Statement of FM Ms. Bakoyannis regarding provision of humanitarian aid to Myanmar/Burma". Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Volo umanitario in Myanmar" [Humanitarian flight to Myanmar] (in Italian). Minister for Foreign Affairs (Italy). 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- ^ "Abs-Cbn Interactive, Japan gives $10-M aid to Myanmar". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
- ^ "More countries send aid to Burma". Burma News International. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012.
- ^ "200,000 litas allocated to each Myanmar and China". ELTA. 16 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009.
- ^ "Владата испраќа помош за Мјанмар" [The government sends aid to Myanmar]. Net Press (in Macedonian). 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008.
- ^ "Peters announces additional cyclone aid to Myanmar". Beehive. 23 July 2008. Archived from the original on 28 July 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
- ^ "Norway prepared to provide NOK 10 million for cyclone victims in Burma/Myanmar". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Relief goods sent to Myanmar". Daily Times (Pakistan). 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 29 June 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
- ^ "Filipino medical workers ready for Myanmar mission". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- ^ "Самолет МЧС РФ доставил гуманитарную помощь в Мьянму" [EMERCOM aircraft delivers humanitarian aid to Myanmar] (in Russian). RB.RU. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ [clarification needed]"Congresso di Stato: San Marino riconosce il Kosovo" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. 11 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
- ^ [clarification needed]"Usvojen memorandum o budžetu" (in Serbian). B92. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
- ^ Wong, May (7 May 2008). "Singapore sends off first batch of relief supplies to Myanmar". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
- ^ "Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants a financial assistance in the amount of US$100,000 to Myanmar, following "Cyclone Nargis". Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
- ^ "Cunta'nın İnadı Öldürüyor" [Junta's stubbornness kills]. Milliyet. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- ^ "МЧС Украины доставило в Мьянму 40 тонн гуманитарной помощи" [Ministry of Emergency Situations of Ukraine delivered 40 tons of humanitarian aid to Myanmar] (in Russian). Корреспондент.net. 4 June 2008. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
- ^ "Cyclone Nargis: Six months on". Department for International Development. 3 November 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2008.
- ^ "Cameron urges aid drops for Burma". BBC News. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Fact Sheet: USAID Assistance to Burma from 2008 - 2012" (PDF). USAID.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
- ^ "CNN reporter in Myanmar chased as he tries to chase cyclone story". International Herald Tribune. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008.
- ^ [clarification needed]"สมัครบินด่วนไปพม่า11พ.ค. ทูตอังกฤษขอร่วม��ณะด้วย" (in Thai). Thai Rath. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- ^ [clarification needed]"สมัครยกเลิกเดินทางไปพม่า เจ้าบ้านแถลงขอแค่สิ่งของ" (in Thai). Thai Rath. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- ^ "UN Warns That Another Storm Is Headed Toward Myanmar". NASDAQ. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- ^ "Let cyclone aid in 'without hindrance': UN chief to Burma leaders". CBC News. Associated Press. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- ^ "Oxfam warns 1.5 million at risk in Myanmar". Hindustantimes.com. 11 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "U.S. admiral: Myanmar junta unconcerned by cyclone". Newsvine. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2008.
- ^ Ogden, Tim (26 May 2008). "When Do We Start Calling It Genocide". Philanthropy Action. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022.
- ^ "France angered by Burmese delays". BBC Online. 17 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022.
- ^ "Burma 'guilty of inhuman action'". BBC Online. 17 May 2008. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022.
- ^ "U.N. chief: Myanmar to admit all aid workers". CNN. 23 May 2008. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
- ^ Kazmin, Amy (23 May 2008). "Burma to Admit All Aid Workers". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
- ^ a b "Burmese junta forcing cyclone victims out of emergency camps: Amnesty". CBC News. 5 June 2008. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2008.
- ^ Aung Hla Tun (27 May 2008). "Myanmar junta unmoved and extends Suu Kyi arrest". International Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on 28 May 2008.
- ^ "Official: UN plane lands in Myanmar with aid after cyclone". Associated Press. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
- ^ "Malaysia: Hundreds Of Activists Stage Protest In Malaysia Against Myanmar Referendum". Mysinchew.com. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- ^ "Poll finds a divided and indecisive public on referendum". Mizzima. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 4 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- ^ a b "Myanmar junta hands out aid boxes with generals' names". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
- ^ "En route to Myanmar, Ban Ki-moon says he will meet leader in effort to boost aid". Un.org. 21 May 2008. Archived from the original on 25 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Asia-Pacific | UN calls for Burma aid corridor". BBC News. 13 May 2008. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "UK | UK Politics | Brown seeks emergency Burma talks". BBC News. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ Wong, Kristina (14 May 2008). "ABC News 'Sneaking Cyclone News Out of Myanmar to Facebook'". Abcnews.go.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION FOR CYCLONE VICTIMS – SATURDAY 17TH MAY". Burma Campaign. 17 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014.
- ^ Siddique, Haroon (21 July 2008). "Cyclone Nargis cost Burma $4bn, says UN report". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "Myanmar– 2008– PDNA undertaken after Cyclone Nargis killed 84,537 people | GFDRR". www.gfdrr.org. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "MYANMAR CYCLONE RELIEF". The Aidmatrix Foundation. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008.
- ^ "Myanmar Cyclone Nargis Relief". GC Hope. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Nargis Slams Myanmar – Donate Now". CARE.org. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
- ^ "Chevron Contributes $2 million to Myanmar Cyclone Relief – FOXBusiness.com". Fox Business. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
- ^ "Emergency Preparedness and Response". Direct Relief. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "First MSF Relief Plane Arrives in Myanmar (Burma)". 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011.
- ^ "Myanmar/Burma Cyclone - Emergencies - Disaster Response - Overview - Lutheran World Relief". Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- ^ "Disaster management Myanmar – Cyclone Nargis". International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008.
- ^ "Cyclone Nargis: Myanmar". Save the Children. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ Stewart, Ray. "NEWS UPDATE 8th MAY — BURMA". ShelterBox Australia. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
- ^ Niles, Chris. "Myanmar, Republic of the Union of – UNICEF crisis response focuses on water and hygiene in aftermath of Cyclone Nargis". UNICEF. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "MYANMAR: CYCLONE NARGIS 2008: 2 years on" (PDF). WorldVision. 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 March 2021.
- ^ "The Irrawaddy Delta: Before the Cyclone". The Irrawaddy. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008.
- ^ Aileen McCabe (10 May 2008). "Cyclone Heightens Rice Crisis". Vancouver Sun. p. A21.
- ^ Amy Kazmin (16 May 2008). "Myanmar Seeks International Help in Getting Rice Crop Planted". Vancouver Sun. p. A12.
- ^ Mydans, Seth; Alan Cowell (21 May 2008). "Myanmar to Allow Copters to Deliver Aid, U.N. Says". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2008.
- ^ "Burma: Gimme Shelter". Mike Hitchen Online. 25 July 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
Further reading
editLarkin, Emma (2010). Everything is Broken: the Untold Story of Disaster under Burma's Military Regime. Granta.
External links
edit- Damage information from BBC
- Google Map: Path of Cyclone Nargis
- Red Cross – Red Cross Movement response to Cyclone Nargis
- "Eyes of the Storm" Full episode of PBS documentary on orphans of Cyclone Nargis fending for themselves.