Madam, – All the coverage of the continuing problems in Haiti and the valiant assistance offered there by international aid organisations has brought forcibly to mind the comparison with the devastation which still remains following Cyclone Nargis in Burma in 2008.
In contrast with the Haitians, the Burmese military government continues to make it extremely difficult for NGOs and other aid organisations to bring assistance to the devastated areas, where shelter and clean water are still in short supply.
Whereas excellent work is funded by Irish Aid at the site of the disaster in Haiti, it remains almost impossible for foreign aid organisations to reach the areas of the Irrawaddy Delta which were most severely devastated. Many lives have been lost in the long aftermath of the cyclone because of the recalcitrance of the junta.
In this year of sham elections in Burma, it is especially important that we make every effort to bring the Burmese military regime to book, by supporting international calls for a commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity by the Burmese military. – Yours, etc,