Aid Trickles Into Burma

12 May 2008

A cargo plane chartered by the International Committee of the Red Cross has arrived Burma's major city of Rangoon, carrying aid for people harmed by the country's recent cyclone.

U.S. Marines prepare to assist victims of Cyclone Nargis, which devastated Burma on May 2. As part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marines remove cargo nets from pallets of food, water and emergency supplies delivered to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex off the Gulf of Thailand, May 9, 2008.

An ICRC statement says the plane carried medical supplies for some 10,000 people and a mobile water treatment plant, but a boat carrying Red Cross aid sank in the disaster zone.

The world has pledged more than $100 million in assistance, but Burma's military leaders are holding up emergency food at the airport, stalling on issuing visas for foreign experts, and insisting on distributing all aid themselves.

Burmese state television says the number of deaths from Cyclone Nargis has reached more than 28,000 with another 37,000 people reported missing. Some aid groups say the death toll could pass 100,000.

The British aid agency Oxfam says 1.5 million people are at risk of dying as a result of a lack of food, water and supplies.

Health experts say many cases of dehydration and diarrhea have already been reported. Fears of diseases such as malaria and cholera have also been heightened.

Despite the disaster, the military government held a referendum Saturday on a new constitution, ignoring global appeals to focus solely on cyclone recovery efforts.

Witnesses in Burma said Burmese service that security forces watched closely as voters cast their ballots.

Supporters of the opposition National League for Democracy said they were able to watch votes counted at some polling stations. In other places, only government staff and security forces were present.

The military says the new charter will lead to democracy and general elections in 2010. But the opposition says the constitution strengthens the army's control over the country.

Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group are preparing for possible humanitarian assistance operations to aid cyclone-stricken Burma.

The USS Essex, anchored in the Gulf of Thailand, May 8, 2008,

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is steaming to support potential humanitarian-assistance operations in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma May 1 and 2. Some estimates have put the death toll at more than 100,000. So far, the Burmese military government has allowed only one U.S. shipment of relief supplies.

“This is what we are here for,” Navy Chief Petty Officer Andres Carillo, of the USS Essex, said. “It’s our mission to help those in need.”

The amphibious readiness group includes the forward-deployed amphibious ships USS Essex, USS Juneau, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Mustin. The servicemembers are working to fill more than 14,000 5-gallon plastic water bladders with fresh water. In the event of humanitarian operations, the water could be loaded onto landing craft and helicopters to be distributed to those affected by the cyclone.

“We are capitalizing on the excess water the ship has to support the victims who need it,” said Marine Capt. Ray Howard, embark officer for 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. “We want to be able have the water distributed by the quickest means possible and be on call for help so that when within reach we can send the water via helicopter and boat to the disaster areas.”

The process of filling up the bladders requires a great deal of manpower and hard work, Carillo said.

Marines and sailors set up shop before filling the water bladders. The Essex’s Repair Division manufactured a fresh water distribution system that mirrored a miniature farming irrigation system. Afterward, both Marines and sailors prepared large boxes to store the water bladders for transport. During the filling process, they check the pipes of the water distribution system to ensure no leakage occurs.

After each bag is filled, Marines and sailors pack the clear plastic water bladders into the boxes.

“It’s great to see the Marines and sailors working together to accomplish the mission,” Howard said. “It’s a great show of joint-service camaraderie.”