Cyclone in Myanmar kills tens of thousands

| 05.06.2008 | 10:08:569074 |

May 6 '08: Reuters has reported nearly 22,500 people dead after a massive cyclone hit the Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar. The New York Times reported that international aid groups and first responders are moving to help send relief supplies to the affected areas as officials in the capital city Yangon have said the death toll is expected to rise.

The World Food Program has partnered with Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action to provide maps of the affected areas of Myanmar by the cyclone.

The BBC reported, "Some 41,000 are also missing, three days after Cyclone Nargis hit the country and caused a huge tidal surge to sweep inland." A video shows the massive storm as it swept through the country. "More deaths were caused by the tidal wave than the cyclone itself, Minister for Relief and Resettlement Maung Maung Swe told reporters in Rangoon (Yangon)."

The Associated Press reported that nearly 1 million people could be homeless. "Some villages have been almost totally eradicated and vast rice-growing areas are wiped out," according to the World Food Program. "President Bush called on Myanmar's military junta to allow the United States to help with disaster assistance, saying the US already has provided some assistance but wants to do more."

Al Jazeera reported, "The first emergency flight from Thailand was expected to land in Yangon on Tuesday afternoon, while the European Union has pledged just over $3m in aid, and China has promised $1m in cash and supplies. ... (President Bush) said Washington wants to send more aid and would make navy warships available for rescue efforts."

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