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GUEST: Edith Mirante, Director of Project MAJE, and author of “Down the Rathole: Adventures Underground on Burma’s Frontiers”

The death toll in Burma following the wake of destruction left by Cyclone Nargis this past weekend could reach 63,000. The ruling military junta has confirmed 22,464 deaths while noting that another 41,000 are missing and feared dead. Cyclone Nargis struck Burma last Saturday with winds reaching 120 miles per hour leaving entire villages devastated, coastal plains flooded and thousands homeless. The politically isolated military government has pleaded for international assistance but are insisting that the aid not be in the form of foreign personnel. The junta has postponed an upcoming vote on a constitutional referendum in several heavily affected townships, while intending to go forward as planned with polling next Saturday in the rest of the country. The move has prompted further criticism on the referendum already assailed by critics as a sham aimed at consolidating military rule. Meanwhile, as the world food crisis continues, the United Nations voiced concerns over rice shortages as the main rice producing areas in Burma were affected by the cyclone.

Organizations that are accepting donations for victims of Cyclone Nargis:

US Campaign for Burma: http://uscampaignforburma.org/cyclone-nargis-devistates-burma

Mercy Corps:
http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/emergencies/2150