early news blog & archive of international global events

2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières takes the lead in helping survivors of the crisis in Myanmar [Burma].

Just when America is crying out to let us in, NSF has 43 staff [international] and more than 1,200 staff [local] providing medical treatment and immediate assistance for survival. MSF is awaiting the approval of visa's for additional support staff. Currently 40 tons of  supplies including medicines and food has left Europe and will land 5/9-08. 160 tons of future shipments are also in process, this cargo should leave France, pending local government approval.

MSF teams are using boats to reach areas within the region of the Bassein River. Difficulty in setting up facilities to provide medical consultations has been reported, due to condition of the landscape. Infrastructure has been compromised throughout the region.

MSF teams have also reached Bogaley, a district heavily hit by the cyclone. MSF is distributing food and providing medical care to thousands of displaced persons. Trucks with food and medical supplies for the hospital, are reaching Bogaley. MSF workers concerned about wells and water supplies in need of repair are requesting support from  projects located in Myanmar [Burma] that have not been destroyed by the storms and are able to reach the affected areas.

MSF teams heading further south to the Kungyangon area, with a population of over 200,000, is next on the list of areas of concern.

This report is based on MSF reporting, which is a trusted source. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/article.cfm?id=2665