Burma's Monks Succeed Where Junta Fails

I urge you to read this wonderful and heartbreaking story in today's New York Times: "Monks Succeed in Cyclone Relief as Junta Falters." It describes the work of the Buddhist monks of Burma (Myanmar) to help people left homeless and destitute by Cyclone Nargis.

Nearly a month after the cyclone and tidal wave devastated southern Burma, more than 134,000 are dead or missing. As many of 2.4 million survivors were left without food, shelter and medical care. Burma's ruling junta blocked international aid efforts, apparently fearing that allowing international aid workers into Burma would weaken their dictatorial control. A week ago the junta appeared to change its mind about aid workers. However, Agence France-Presse reports today that aid workers still do not have full access to the worst-hit areas.

Meanwhile, the monks of Burma have stepped in and organized their own relief efforts, accepting donations and distributing aid in areas that have received no other help. The New York Times describes convoys of supplies led by monks, while the hungry and homeless line the roads and bow with gratitude and respect. "Village after storm-hit village, it is clear who has won people’s hearts," the article says. "Monks were among those who died in the storm. Now, others console the survivors while sharing their muddy squalor."

If you can, please give donations to organizations working with the monks -- the International Burmese Monks Organization and the Foundation for the People of Burma.

Inexplicably, the most recent news from Burma says that the junta is forcing survivors out of monasteries and relief camps and back to their villages, even if the villages are no longer there. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates today condemned the junta, saying the government's obstruction has cost tens of thousands of lives.

See also John Pilger, "Cowardice of Silence," about the world's failure to speak out for Aung San Suu Kyi.