Tutu, Suu Kyi Praise Unknown Activists

As heads of state from all around world gather at the UN General Assembly in New York today, two of the world’s most famous activists held a talk a few blocks away in mid-town Manhattan to discuss their own struggles against authoritarian regimes.

Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s charismatic anti-Apartheid activists and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition politician who spent more than 15 years under house arrest, were at the Clinton Global Initiative today to share experiences but also pay homage to unnamed political dissidents and human right defenders whose stories often go untold. 

Aung San Suu Kyi says international exposure and her fame have protected her from violent reprisals, but she remains concerned over the fate her supporter supporters who continue their fight for “dignity and democracy,”

“It takes tremendous courage from unknown soldiers to defend our cause,” she told the New York audience via teleconference from Myanmar. 

“When you stand out in a crowd, it is only because you are carried on the shoulders of others” added Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who of late has been focusing his advocacy work on combatting child marriages. 

The 79 year old Archbishop says he has been reaching out to traditional and religious leaders in affected communities to create dialogue and understanding on the issue. 

Aung San Suu Kyi and Bishop Tutu also discussed their role as spokespersons for their causes, agreeing that one of the most important contributions they can make is to cultivate the international community awareness and continue to support movements for democracy in a climate of freedom from fear.

Mynamar's reaction to the cyclone is "appalling"

The Committee on Foreign Affairs met today to discuss Myanmar in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis. Scot Marciel, deputy assistant secretary of state, criticized the Myanmar government’s handling of the disaster, saying it was “appalling.”

On May 2 a tropical cyclone hit Myanmar, which destroyed more than 95 percent of structures in some communities in the Irrawaddy Delta. The storm left 2.4 million in urgent need of assistance. The United Nations estimates cyclone-related deaths are between 78,000 and 125,000. The United States has offered assistance and the international community has responded and offered over $100 million in assistance to Myanmar. However as Marciel said, “the Myanmar regime’s response to this disaster has fallen far short of what was required. Frankly, it has been appalling.”

The Myanmar government put the priority on conducting a “deeply flawed referendum” on its draft constitution and has give very few international aid organizations visas into the country.

“The fact that the regime proceeded with the referendum in the midst of a humanitarian disaster speaks volumes to its indifference to the welfare of the Burmese people,” Marciel said.

The United States has engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts over the past two weeks in order to offer humanitarian assistance to those affected by the cyclone. As of May 19, reports indicate that supplies are going out slowly to the affected areas and only 20 percent of the 2.4 million people have received any aid. Only a quarter of the 2.4 million people had received food aid through the World Food Program and the World Health Organization has reported that an outbreak of malaria and dengue fever could occur within weeks if the people don’t get adequate aid soon.

UN aid to Myanmar by the numbers

UN Aid to Myanmar by the numbers
* There are 30-40 aid flights a day plus commercial flights being donated by companies such as Thai airlines.
* 700 tons of rice and high energy biscuits are enough to feed 100,000 people
* The UN goal is to have tarps for 200,000 households
*There are about 160 relief workers being allowed in from neighboring countries.
*The UN has applied for about 100-200 visas for professional staff, with the ability to train and work with workers.
*$150 million has been raised but now the amount needed has increased.
*1.6-2.5 million people will need some form of aid over the long term, the numbers on this are constantly being refined.
*Death toll is 38,000. and 27,000 missing. Those are the statistics of Myanmar not of the United Nations. It could be up to 100,000 or even higher but there is no reliable figures. There is the possibility that people have been double counted.

Myanmar/Burma briefing by John Holmes Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator

In his update briefing on the conditions and aid flights to Myanmar, Holmes said that so far the Burmese government is not allowing international workers but they have asked neighboring countries to help. Holmes said that there is still a long way to go. He said that clean water is still very important, but that in the medical supplies dehydration kits has helped to stave off a real crisis.

Holmes said that there is no detectable moving of aid for other purposes which the UN has determined by looking at markets, but Holmes said, that doesn't mean it is not happening. He reported that the Ports are now open so large quantities of goods should be able to move soon. Myanmar is still not accepting assets such as engineering teams or helicopters said Holmes. He said that Myanmar’s national resources are not adequate. The plan, Holmes said, is to develop a logistics hub, perhaps in Thailand.

Holmes also said that the issue of relief workers and outside assets is a discussion that the United Nations is trying to move forward with the Myanmar government. The government has stepped up road blocks looking for foreigners. Currently international staff is being turned away at road blocks, which gets in the way of distributing aid in a professional way. “You can't just hand out things at the back of a truck,” said Holmes
He mentioned that the World Bank might be able to play a long term roll in terms of developing infrastructure after recovery from the crisis. That is why the United Nations is relying on local staff, but Holmes said, many of the local United Nations staff is not trained in emergency relief. Air drops that have been made against the wishes of the government are proving a complicated issue.


Within a week to ten days after a disaster is when disease begins to spread, said Holmes. Disease can break out at any time if aid can not get through. The Secretary General has sent a second letter, they have not been able to contact by telephone.
Holmes told the briefing that the Thai Prime Minister is going to be in Myanmar, and hoping to make some headway with a regime 'that seems allergic to the telephone".
In response to a question Holmes said that the UN has not heard stories of aid being denied because of the referendum, but it does not seem to be possible for them to hold a referendum give the circumstances.

On the bombings in India:
The statement given at the briefing was that the Secretary General is outraged by the bombings and terrorism.

On the Security Council:

The Council is concerned about JEM fighters near Khartoum over last weekend as well as increased violence in Darfur. Ethiopia and Eritrea will also be on the agenda this afternoon.

Video Update on Myanmar, Live From the United Nations

After a press conference with John Holmes and Ban Ki-moon, Dan Patterson gives a video update on Myanmar.

Click To Play

High-Energy Biscuits to Myanmar: WFP Spokesperson Bettina Luescher

WFP Spokesperson Bettina Luescher displays one of the "high-energy biscuits" being sent to Myanmar.