GPS News
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
UN says Myanmar junta halts humanitarian access to cyclone survivors
UN says Myanmar junta halts humanitarian access to cyclone survivors
by AFP Staff Writers
Bangkok (AFP) June 9, 2023

Myanmar's junta has suspended travel authorisations for aid workers trying to reach hundreds of thousands of people in the cyclone-ravaged Rakhine state, the UN's humanitarian affairs office said Friday.

Cyclone Mocha brought lashing rain and winds of 195 kilometres per hour (120 miles per hour) to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh last month, killing at least 148 people in Myanmar.

The cyclone destroyed homes and brought a storm surge to Rakhine state, where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya minority refugees live in displacement camps following decades of ethnic conflict.

Junta authorities this week suspended "existing travel authorizations... for humanitarian organizations," the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement.

Plans for distributing aid to cyclone-affected townships that had previously been approved by the junta were also rescinded, it added.

The restrictions would bring "a stop to activities that have been reaching hundreds of thousands of people", it said.

AFP has contacted a junta spokesman for comment.

Local media reported that the travel ban applied to humanitarian groups working in Rakhine state.

Last month, the UN launched an appeal for $333 million in emergency funding for the 1.6 million people in Myanmar it said were affected by the storm.

After cyclone Nargis killed at least 138,000 people in Myanmar in 2008, the then-junta was accused of blocking emergency aid and initially refusing to grant access to humanitarian workers and supplies.

State-owned media reported last month that aid offers from the international community had been accepted.

"Relief and rehabilitation tasks must be done through existing united strength," said the Global New Light of Myanmar.

Rakhine state is home to around 600,000 Rohingya, who are regarded by many there as interlopers from Bangladesh, and are denied citizenship and freedom of movement.

Most of the 148 people who died during the storm are from the minority, according to the junta.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
A world of storm and tempest
When the Earth Quakes

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Dutch to send rescue boats, water pumps to Ukraine
The Hague (AFP) June 8, 2023
The Netherlands is sending dozens of boats, water pumps and other water-resistant gear to Ukraine to help with rescue operations in the wake of the Kakhovka dam breach, officials said Thursday. The dam was destroyed on Tuesday, forcing thousands to flee their homes as water surged into the Dnipro River, flooding dozens of villages and parts of the capital Kherson and sparking fears of a humanitarian disaster. Gear to be sent "as quickly as possible" includes 32 rescue boats, 15 water pumps and a ... read more

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Canadian Prairies farmers try to adapt to a warming world

Seaweed farming may help tackle global food insecurity

Indonesia, Malaysia to fight against EU palm oil 'discrimination'

California's honey bees await the famous sunshine

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Beyond Liquid Crystal is DARPA's next mission for tunable opticals

Electron spin measured for the first time

First steps towards realizing mechanical qubits

Stretchable semiconductors harness molecular light brakes

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
How Raytheon Technologies is engineering sustainable flight

A step toward safe and reliable autopilots for flying

Megawatt electrical motor designed by MIT engineers could help electrify aviation

Air force chief appointed chairman of Ethiopian Airlines

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
GM reaches deal for access to Tesla's North American chargers

Musk, China industry minister hold talks on 'new energy vehicles': ministry

Tesla's Musk hails China's 'vitality' on Beijing visit

Elon Musk says wants to expand China business in FM meeting

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Ex-Samsung exec charged with stealing chip tech for China factory

Lula tells EU chief Brazil has 'concerns' on trade deal

Markets track Wall St higher as inflation data looms

Blinken reschedules postponed Beijing visit for June 18

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Lula leads tributes on anniversary of Amazon double murder

Brazilian Amazon deforestation falls 31% under Lula

In Ecuador biosphere, battle lines form over mining plans

Widow urges care for Amazon on anniversary of double murder

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Sidus to launch LizzieSat with Edge AI, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging

Harris announces $100M initiative to fight climate change, arms smuggling in Caribbean

Sovereignty fears delay Pacific-Australia security pacts

China releases 5-meter-resolution broadband multi-spectral satellite dataset

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Single-molecule valve: a breakthrough in nanoscale control

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.