Burma
19:55 Jul 21 2008
Times Read: 719
Burma aid effort 'requires $1bn'
Cyclone survivors wait for food in Laputta town, Irrawaddy Delta, 15 May 2008
Many still need help after Burma's worst ever disaster. Relief and reconstruction work in Burma after Cyclone Nargis will cost at least $1bn (£500m), according to the UN and the regional body Asean.
The figure is in a report released at Asean's annual meeting in Singapore. It is the first comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by the cyclone on 3-4 May, which is believed to have killed 130,000 people.
Burma's ruling generals were criticised in the wake of the cyclone for being slow to accept international aid. Asean has already played a key part in helping to facilitate exchanges between Burma's ruling junta and international donors.
Enormous task
Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan told a news conference that the three parties involved in the report - the UN, Asean and the Burmese government - needed at least $1bn to deal with "a tragedy of immense proportions".
The estimated figure covers the most urgent needs such as food, agriculture and housing for the next three years. "The task ahead is clearly enormous and will take a lot of time, a lot of effort," Mr Surin said.
READ THE ASEAN REPORT
"While significant progress has been made to date, we are still in the relief phase for this aid operation," added the UN humanitarian chief John Holmes.
The report outlines the scale of the cyclone - Burma's worst ever disaster - and estimates that it destroyed 450,000 homes, damaged 350,000 others, flooded 600,000 hectares of agricultural land and destroyed 60% of farming implements. About 75% of hospitals and clinics in the area were destroyed or badly damaged.
'Deep disappointment'
Burma's military rulers are under the spotlight as delegates convene at the Asean meeting. Foreign ministers at the opening of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum in Singapore. Asean is normally reluctant to criticise member states, On Sunday, delegates issued a rare statement criticising the isolated nation, urging it to release political prisoners.
They expressed "deep disappointment" over the junta's one-year extension of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's detention. In the past, the bloc has been accused of being too reluctant to speak out about the internal affairs of its member states.
The other issue on the agenda at the Asean meeting on Monday was the escalating tension between two other member states - Thailand and Cambodia - over ownership of the area around the ancient temples of Preah Vihear. "The situation has escalated dangerously, with troops from both sides faced off on disputed territory near the Preah Vihear temple," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told delegates in his opening speech.
He added that he had received assurances from both countries that they would exercise "utmost restraint" and abide by international laws to resolve the issue amicably.
Burma and more specifically the Junta can go fuck themselves. No aid to the country at all.
A day in the life of the DrowVampire
08:48 Jul 02 2008
Times Read: 744
I worked the evening shift.
Things went their usual fucking WTF as they do at work.
I howled at the moon as I walked past the gate keeper. hehe
A crashed 2008 Porshe arrived. 2 Front Tyres ripped off after hitting something. Left back Tyre flat, right back Tyre is okay. Massive front end damage. Poor baby is going to the junk yard.
Followed by an ARSONed Hummer and a fake Bentley (its a bloody nissan)
Next come a Skyline and Mustang involved in a 190 km/h crash (they were racing). Then come a Corvette Stingray, that rolled over. Followed by a 1966 GTO, not a tiny bit of rust on it. And a 1959 Beetle.
At 10 pm, Cops arrived and arrested a girl and a guy with outstanding warrants.
One girl that come in today, (attractive 5'8) was wearing her boyfriends' t-shirt, a belt around her waist and tiny tiny mini shirt. Boobs trying to bounce out as she is clearly not wearing underwear.
We got word that a 2009 Lexus in coming in soon, ceased from drug dealers.
My work day ended when a lady come into the yard. She acts strangely, seems to be hearing voice, she goes ballastic and said I am threatening her, she calls the cops. She tries to convince the cops I am threatening her, the cops talk to me, I ask them to come, seeing how this is now the only way to solve the situation.
Cops realizes she is on something and dismisses her ranting. She asked them to arrest me for threatening her. She leaves. I come to realize after talking to my supervisor that she is on something and hearing voices.
But I am tempted to say, she is hearing voices like a multiple personality disorder's selective hearing, works.
What street drugs make you paranoid ?
I strongly suspect Phencyclidine or PCP. Likely mixed with Ecstasy.
After work, I come home, sunk 3 American boats with my U boat.
Fun !
Also I watched the last 4 episodes of 08th MS Gundam Team.
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