I haven’t seen the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar covered here yet, but I just came across the recent CNN article that states the US government is estimating the death count to exceed 100,000, which is five times more than expected. Eek. Plus, it seems like the foreign aid is having trouble getting through to the region, especially as our six cargo helicopters are still awaiting visas in Thailand to enter the country. Eek times a million.
I can’t help but recall the huge tsunami that hit Thailand and Indonesia back in 2004, and the overwhelming amount of press, aid and conversation that it sparked here in the US.
What about Myanmar? I’ve only caught headlines online and very little coverage across blogs. I could be wrong (and do say so) but I’m curious to know everyone’s thoughts about this, especially in lieu of the 2004 disaster. Are we just less aware about global events? The tsunami hit right in the midst of our holiday season–did that create a better environment for Americans to openly address a foreign disaster? Do Thailand’s resort areas cause more concern because there are more likely to be fellow Americans there? Or are we more preoccupied with the upcoming Presidential election? How is the Asian American community responding to this?
The tsunami was clearly a bigger (and totally different) natural disaster, as it’s been reported to have killed over 250,000 people, but I thought I’d seek out your thoughts.
Side note: I also found this article, Burma’s Lucky Escape, about how the country was fortunate to escape much of the damage from the tsunami. Kind of creepy to read now, isn’t it?
(Photo courtesy of AFP)
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John wrote:
I think the lack of coverage, both in the media as well as on the blogs is for a few reasons. The Myanmar government was not initially receptive to foreign aid and controls the media, so the images foreigners saw was limited to what the government provided. Additionally, because Myanmar / Burma is a tightly controlled regime, foreigners trying to get into Myanmar have been limited. Also, the initial estimates given for the death toll was less than 20,000, which is still too many people, but in comparison to the tsunami, is small comparatively. And yes, there has been a lot of coverage on the Indiana and North Carolina primaries this past week. But this story is starting to bubble up to the top.
Posted on 07-May-08 at 4:51 pm | Permalink
Biotech Boy wrote:
I have to disagree with you, Moye, on this one. I think there is a lot of press coverage (I see it everyday featured in major news outlets). I do feel that the amount of coverage is proportional to the scale of the event given everything else that’s going on the world, both domestically and internationally.
Posted on 07-May-08 at 7:04 pm | Permalink
Jen wrote:
The Myanmar cyclone disaster doesn’t seem as big of an event like the tsumanis previously….I think the media has definitely been a bit more mum this time around. Maybe it too “similar” to the tsumani, as John points out?
Posted on 07-May-08 at 9:44 pm | Permalink
Moye wrote:
Glad to hear (read?) all of your thoughts!
I do see the news coverage but I’m probably looking in the wrong places. I just remember EVERYONE talking about the tsunami, both around me and online, and now, not so much.
John, you bring up a really good point about the politics behind the Myanmar government. I only hope the foreign aid finally gets through.
Posted on 08-May-08 at 9:10 am | Permalink
cat wrote:
My heart goes out to those poor souls, but why shove our aid down their throats. If the government in charge doesn’t want our help fine. We’ll keep it to ourselves, and save it for our own next disaster.
Posted on 08-May-08 at 12:36 pm | Permalink