Burma election goes ahead despite cyclone carnage and aid delays

May 11 2008 By Raymond Hainey

AN ELECTION went ahead in Burma yesterday despite the hundreds of thousands of people left homeless and hungry after Cyclone Nargis.

The poll proceeded as international criticism, led by Gordon Brown, mounted of Burma's military rulers for their handling of the disaster in which up to 100,000 people have died.

The generals - in power since 1962 - claim the vote will pave the way for democratic elections in 2010.

But critics insist it is a ploy to increase the power of the military.

The Burmese government have imposed restrictions on the number of aid workers allowed into the country and impounded a large amount of aid, including food.

Charities say the military do not have the capability to distribute the aid themselves.

They warned of a disease epidemic of "apocalyptic proportions" due to supplies not getting through to those in need.

The government yesterday seized two planeloads of highenergy biscuits - enough to feed 95,000 people - sent by the UN.

State-run TV continuously ran images of top generals - including the junta leader Than Shwe - handing out boxes of aid to survivors.

One box bore the name of General Myint Swe in bold letters, overshadowing a smaller label reading: "Aid from the Kingdom of Thailand".

State media say 23,335 people died and 37,019 are missing after Cyclone Nargis. The UN estimates 1.5million to two million people have been severely affected.

In the worst-hit areas, tens of thousands of bodies are strewn across the landscape.

Diseases such as dysentery are starting to take hold.

Ray Hasan, Christian Aid's Burma expert, said: "Partners are telling us that there are outbreaks of disease already. There is no time to lose."

Tim Costello, chief executive of World Vision Australia, said the impact of Cyclone Nargis could be worse than the effect of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami on Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

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