The Defiance of Burma's Junta Could Cost Many More Lives After Cyclone Nargis

As the people of Burma go through an eighth day after the damage done by Cyclone Nargis, it still looks as if Burma’s junta still refuses to let foreign aid workers to access the people.

The death toll of Burma could very well reach at least one million and over. This is the death toll after the cyclone. While the figures of those killed during Cyclone Nargis are between 60,000 to 100,000 at least, millions more could end up dying. This is due to contracting waterborne diseases that could be treated with medication. However, Burma’s junta will not allow foreign aid workers to access areas let alone the hardest hit. The death toll as a result of the cyclone is still disputed. While the millions of people are left homeless and displaced, their chances of contracting such diseases is heightened. This is due to the lack of access to food and shelter. The international community has responded. However, Burma’s junta still remains defiant to this very day. Recently, the UN’s World Food Program had to halt operations because the aid it had brought was seized by the junta. At the same time, the junta has refused assistance from the United States, which is ready to respond. The UN has blasted Burma’s junta for its recent actions. So far, there have been those that already received the necessary aid. But, it has come from the agencies from within Burma. Still, foreign relief agencies have been denied access to Burma, let alone its most devastated areas. In short, the continued defiance from Burma’s junta will unnecessarily cost many more lives. These are loss of lives that can well be prevented with food, medicine, and shelter. However, Burma’s junta is stalling. Since Burma is an ally of China, this could possibly be an issue that will pop up. China is set to host the 2008 Summer Olympics in its capital of Beijing. Like China, Burma is under the hawk's eye of the international community.