The death toll could reach 100,000 from the devastating cyclone that hit Burma over the weekend. According to United States diplomats, every day that goes by could make things worst. He added that the situation is turning “increasingly horrendous.” No journalists are allowed in the ravaged country by the military junta and the statement of the U.S official is one of few. Shari Villarosa, who heads the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, the capital of Burma also stated that most of the dead are from the delta area that was hit the hardest by the cyclone. The Burma Cylone, destroyed over 90 per cent of the buildings in that area, the Irrawaddy Delta. She added that basic supplies like food and water are not running out fast. There are over one million people left homeless, and the dangers of rioting are growing…huge crowds of hungry people have taken matters in their own hands and broke into the few shops that have managed to open in the region, sparking fist fights and commission.
At this point the Burmese government has counted 22,500. In addition to that there are over 41,000 people missing.

The Burma Cyclone has passed but risks are growing since there is no sight of a solution to the crisis. International aid groups, as well as damage assessment crew from the United Nations are having a hard time getting visas to enter the country. There is a very big risk of disease outbreaks as long as this situation continues. UN officials warn that delays relating to issuing visas to relief workers could increase the death toll dramatically by hampering aid efforts and increasing the risk of a major health crisis. After the Burma cyclone the Burmese government has placed a minister in charge of issuing visas just for aid agencies. There is an immediate need for supplies and it is only a matter of time before the million people left homeless start dying.

For relief workers time is of the essence in this situation. Every day that goes by supplies of food and water are running out. The remaining water supplies in the struck part of the country are polluted and so a large number of purification tablets are needed. The danger of a much worse humanitarian crisis and a higher death toll are looming. The problem that still remains is that access to the worst-hit areas is impossible, even if aid workers do manage to get into the country the only way to reach the flooded areas is by boat or helicopter. Both or which are in short supply. Much of the the struck are, the Irrawaddy Delta remains submerged in flood waters.

Amongst the countries that provided aid to the areas hit by the Burma Cyclone is Britain. The British government has offered about $9.8 million to help the crisis. The U.S. offered more than $3 million in aid, while Canada the Canadian has pledged $2 million. Other governments are making offers to assist as well.

The way things are going, the delays, the lack of infrastructure in this South East Asian country as well as the lack of organization will unfortunately ad the Burma cyclone in the list of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes of our century.