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Cyclone Nargis: Myanmar's Disaster and Aid Response

Explore the devastating impact of Cyclone Nargis on Myanmar in 2008, the challenges faced, and the international aid response that followed. Learn about the failures and missed opportunities in the aftermath of the disaster.

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Cyclone Nargis: Myanmar's Disaster and Aid Response

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  1. Cyclone Nargis, Burma/Myanmar Joonki Kim Zoe Newman

  2. History and Background (1/2) 1948 – Union of Burma gains independence from Great Britain 1962 - Myanmar controlled by military regime after a coup d'état 1962-1972 – “Burmese Way to Socialism” • 1988 – Pro-democracy demonstrations “8888 Uprising” • 1989 – "Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma" → "Union of Myanmar“

  3. History and Background (2/2) 1990 – Free elections, National League for Democracy (NLD) wins majority, Junta refused to step down 1991 – Aung San SuuKyi awarded Nobel Peace Prize, under house arrest 1997 – Admitted into Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2007 – Saffron Revolution 2008 – Cyclone Nargis

  4. Human Rights Record - Since military take over, Myanmar under constant insurgency - Harsh crackdowns by military government - Continued human rights abuses ∙ Child soldier, forced removal, denied citizenship, rape, etc. - Annual adoption of UN resolutions condemning the acts of abuses - Killing of monks during ‘Saffron Revolution’ 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index Transparency International

  5. http://video.on.nytimes.com/video/2008/05/05/world/1194817109514/cyclone-nargis-devastates-myanmar.htmlhttp://video.on.nytimes.com/video/2008/05/05/world/1194817109514/cyclone-nargis-devastates-myanmar.html

  6. Cyclone Nargis May 2nd – 3rd • - Worst cyclone recorded on the basin • - 120 mph (190 kph) winds and a 12 ft (3.5 meter) sea surge. • - Estimated damage at US$10billion • - Affected 2.4 million people, estimated 130,366 people dead or missing (OCHA estimation) • - Destroyed fertile Irrawaddy Delta area known as “Rice Bowl” • - Affected 65% of country’s rice paddies (UNFAO)

  7. Timeline of Events Immediately after the cyclone - International community, regional government and the UN offers aid → ‘National Natural Disaster Preparedness Central Committee’ May 5th Government of Myanmar briefs resident diplomats - ‘ Aid will be welcomed by the government’ May 6th Human toll reaches more than 22,000

  8. Timeline of Events(continued) May 7th First consideration of Responsibility to Protect - France initially invokes Responsibility to Protect to provide humanitarian assistance May 8th – 9th Thai Mediation - Myanmar agrees on the basis of ‘no strings attached’ • May 12th First US aid supply / Meeting • of ASEAN, World Bank, OCHA • US Government / Military officials • accompany first C-130 planes into Myanmar

  9. Timeline of Events(continued) May 13th Consideration of Responsibility to Protect by Great Britain - Responsibility to Protect should be considered for natural disasters May 16th ‘Crime Against Humanity’ - Myanmar state television reports 77,738 dead, 55,917 missing • May 19th Myanmar Agrees to • ASEAN-ERAT • Myanmar agrees to aid led by • ASEAN-ERAT under condition of • not politicizing aid

  10. Timeline of Events(continued) May 23rd UN officials visit Myanmar - Myanmar promises ‘all’ aid workers will be allowed in May 25th Tripartite Core Group - Myanmar Gov’t, ASEAN, UN forms the Tripartite group • July 2008 Advances in relief and • reconstruction efforts • UN Humanitarian Relief Coordinator, • Sir John Holmes reports efforts are on track

  11. Key Aspects / Turning Points (1/2) Western Rhetoric Regarding Responsibility to Protect - Great Britain, France, other Western nations consider Responsibility to Protect- Expanding range of Responsibility to Protect to ‘Natural Disasters’- Propels ASEAN Nations to act – most skeptical and fearful of Responsibility to Protect ∙ Initial actions by Thai (May 8th), followed by ASEAN (ASEAN-ERAT)∙ Also affected Myanmar Government to act

  12. Key Aspects / Turning Points (2/2) Decision of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to intervene - Assumed role of facilitator between Myanmar and the West- First deployment of ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT)- Through high-level discussions on May 12, May 19, decision made for ASEAN-ERAT to lead in aid coordination - Myanmar accepts ASEAN assistance due to relative trust in the organization

  13. Failures of the Burmese government • Inadequate warning • Delay in aid delivery intensified a natural disaster into a man-made disaster • Rejection of media coverage

  14. Failures of the International Community

  15. Missed Opportunities • Precedents • “sovereignty”? • Responsibility to Protect • Definition of “disaster” • “hazard” (natural) versus “vulnerabilities” (human)

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