Natural Disaster

The cyclone that hit the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar a couple days ago may have killed as many as 100,000 people. Reports describe dead bodies floating face-down in the water, and up to 1,000,000 people in the country are now homeless as a result of the storm. 95 percent of the buildings affected area were demolished. However, despite the increasingly bad conditions there, the ruling Myanmar military junta is allegedly restricting access to the area, preventing aid and relief organizations from delivering much-needed supplies and medical care. The junta has purposely isolated the area affected by the cyclone for decades in order to maintain its “iron-fisted control.” Many countries, including the United States, have offered help and support, and are standing by awaiting permission from the junta to enter the country and begin relief work. The U.S. has put several military planes and personnel into position to provide aid quickly, but there is skepticism about the chances of Myanmar accepting American help. In the event that the junta continues to restrict access, the United Nations might invoke a special “responsibility to protect clause” as justification for entering the country anyway without the junta’s permission