Burma aid conference: Demands and ultimatums, but little money for the cyclone victims

Prior to the conference, the Burmese regime appealed for $10.7 billion to assist in the reconstruction of areas devastated by the cyclone. As well as immediate relief supplies, farmers and fishermen in the Irrawaddy delta are in urgent need of assistance to restore their livelihoods. The UNs Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has warned of longer term hardship if a new crop is not planted in the next few weeks in what is known as the countrys rice bowl. Burmas Prime Minister Thein Sein told the conference that temporary shelters, rice seeds, fertilisers and fishing boats were needed as soon as possible.

The response to the appeal was pitiful. International media reports put the new donations at between $50 million and $150 million, but even this is doubtful. IRIN, the news agency of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, did not report a total. But it did note that many donors at the meeting simply outlined the assistance they had already given, and pledged more if conditions on the ground improved.

The UNs own flash appeal for $201 million in emergency aid for the cyclone victims has received just $57 million or 28 percent of the total. According to the UNs Financial Tracking system, another $42 million has been pledged, but the promises are not binding and, as in previous disasters, may not materialise. It was not clear if the new aid promises would go to the UN fund.