Control of movement seems to be the theme of the day. Some aid workers are blocked access to areas, while others are allowed in. Refugees arriving in towns are asked to move on or go back home. We’ve even heard that people providing shelter to refugees in Yangon and elsewhere have been warned against continuing such activity (edit: this report is also echoed here, with a mention of threat of prosecution for providing shelter). The destruction of many boats in the cyclone has complicated the difficulties with the transport system. It would seem boat entry is the solution to getting around road blocks, and others have concluded boat delivery will be key to aid delivery (see below).
– Several medical teams from Doctors Without Borders were ordered out of the Irrawaddy Delta on Monday.
– The country director in Myanmar for Save the Children reported that trucks and helicopters would be insufficient to deliver aid. “It’s clear that the vast majority of people will have to be reached by boat,” said. As mentioned in earlier posts, the military reportedly only has 5 working helicopters.
Checkpoints manned by armed police were set up Tuesday on roads leading to the Irrawaddy River delta and all international aid workers (more…)
Help Myanmar - With thoughts, prayers, and donations 