I was raised in Burma for 13 years. Life back then was simple. The area cyclone hit had been my play ground for a long time. I had visited the southern part on boat , on bus to north, and train. All I got left is memories. I am so hoping that folks in Burma will survive this tragedy. This is not a time to look for why but look for how we can help. The hospital in Insein, wonder that one survive. Burmese people are very strong will , kind , polite and respectful. All I can do is cry and hope they all will survive. Just drop the food from air.

Hello,

I was just wondering about the situation in Burma. Its clear to the world that the Burmese Junta doesn’t care about its own people. So under the circumstances can the international community forcefully provide aid to the people. There is a precedent set I believe in the 80s the Sri Lankan government was accused of depriving its northern citizens of basic humanitarian services. India’s offer to help was refused. Hence India unilaterally air dropped basic rations to the northern citizens. Just wondering if such a course of action should be followed in this case

In your reporting on the tragedy in Myanmar / Burma, why don’t you make a comparison to LOUISIANA and KATRINA ?

Yes, the Burmese junta is standing in the way of international aid. But how is this different than the US federal government being in denial about the situation in Louisiana in the days, weeks and now years that followed Katrina and making such a mess of getting assistance and aid. The US is supposedly a first-world country. The number of persons that died in Katrina as a result of the US Government’s incompetence and discrimination is in many ways similar to what is unfolding in Myanmar now.

Hi Anderson, yes those pictures from Myanmar are very disturbing but I have seen them before! Those picures were taken in New Orleans in the good ole US of A!

Dear Anderson and Erica,

It is just amazing that we can invade a country on wrong information on weapons of mass distruction, but we can not go into a country to help millions who are starving (burma) and need help desperatly.
This is an emergency and our President should make the decision to go ahead, weather the military leaders in Burma like it or not. At least he could finish his presidency on a positive note and say he did something right for the human race.

I pray our donations will get through to the people. Thanks for the info.

Why would I feel the need to “help” when the stricken land is directly south of China? Why isn’t China moving immediately to fund and assist with their own troops? Contrary to what OBAMA, whom I support, said today….. I don’t really believe the “world is looking for the USA in leadership.” The world has had its fill of the USA sticking our nose into every corner of the planet… whether in military affairs or trying to be the ‘good guy’ with disaster relief. Our Federal Government is out of control and not at all representing the mainstream majority of American voters.

Hey, if Myanmar won’t accept western aid then so be it. There are far too many people in need of money, food and assistance in this part of the world. Why are we in such a hurry to try to help those who don’t care for it but we can stand by and watch our own people crumble to pieces?

“Myanmar: How Can You Help?” - WE’RE TRYING TO BUT THEY DON’T WANT HELP!!! Why bother trying to help someone who doesn’t accept Western society? I say Western society helps Western society. Obviously nobody wants to see us trying to help them because then they would almost certainly have to admit that we’re good decent people who just want to help the needy. The dead bodies adding up are on their conscience not ours. WE TRIED!!!

Even after seeing TV and reading news articles, it is hard to believe that so many people, homes, business, roads are absolutely devasted by the storm. I sincerly hope food, water, shelter, clothing and medical care can be brought in immediately.
Something like this is almost too much to understand and one must ask why it happened. No answer comes.

Anderson,

Why do you insist on calling Myanmar, Burma? Do you have some political agenda that you are trying to force on the viewers of you show? It is very similar to the Bush administrations insistence on calling Myanmar Burma.

Am I missing it,or are the media not pushing this story hard enough?
Coming so soon after the political protests in BURMA,ought not the viewers and readers be a lot more interested in this power-fearful junta ( which almost makes Bush re Katrina look good by comparison) — or is there actually that great a lack of information available?
Just asking,and thanks AC360 for whatever we’ve gotten so far.

I’m waiting for your coverage of “This is War” in Lebanon. Gaza is already a humanitarian crisis. Given the Suez, Africa to Pakistan situation I think that this deserves attention.

While Myanmar is definitely in need, others need attention also.

To add to all that above and what we know, the Government impounded two UN aid flights, so WFP is halting the aid flights.

YOU CAN HELP MOST EFFECTIVELY BY KILLING THE GENERALS.

IT IS JUST A FEW OF THEM VS. THE SURVIVALS IN DELTA REGION PLUS FUTURE OF BURMA.

I read this morning that the aid being sent to Myanmar is being seized by the government there.

If we can be assured that our aid will circumvent that evil regime and actually make it to the Burmese people, I would gladly give to help… please keep us informed.

I cannot imagine what it would be like living in Myanmar at this time. The suffering, fear, and desperation need to be assuaged and it is no time to promote any nationalistic sense in getting relief to these poor people. If the horrible regime is not allowing much of the nations to help, why don’t we give all of the resources on the ships, and planes of the “banned” nations to the countries that are being allowed in to help? If I am correct, we have a military ship loaded with food, medicine etc. Other nations are similarly positioned. Why not give it all to the Italians or another nation that is being given access? Unless we are willing to do this, we are still culpable of putting our interests in front of the dire needs of the people there. Is this an oversimplification? Thank God UNICEF is there as a possible receptor and disburser of the relief, but will the regime allow anything that has aid labeled from the caring world that it rejects?