Foreign Policy

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15 May 2008
United States Completes 13th Humanitarian Aid Flight to Burma

By Jacquelyn S. Porth
Staff Writer

Washington -- The United States flew another five humanitarian aid missions into Burma May 15, bringing the total number of flights up to 13, but much more is still needed to help the Burmese people, who are reeling in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.

The most recent U.S. flights delivered water, blankets, hygiene kits, mosquito netting and food. So far, the U.S. Air Force has delivered 142,102 kilograms of supplies to the international airport in Rangoon, Burma's largest city.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell was pressed by reporters about the possibility of air-dropping relief items directly into the Irrawaddy Delta region, which was hardest hit by the cyclone. He said no discussions are currently under way to unilaterally drop supplies into a sovereign nation. He also pointed out that airdrops are not a particularly efficient or effective way of providing aid.

At the same time, Morrell said “there is absolutely more” the United States can do to provide assistance, “if only the Burmese government would permit us to do it.” There are substantial resources amassed nearby available for delivery, he said.

Morrell said that the United States is working with other governments in the region “to try to persuade the Burmese military … to put their pride aside and let our troops come in with the aid that their people so desperately need.”

“We are certainly encouraging the Burmese government to continue to let those flights come in and, if possible, increase the number of flights,” he stated.

So far, the United States has allocated $16.25 million in relief aid for Burma. United Nations officials and international relief organizations that are now in Burma have confirmed to the United States that aid has been reaching the disaster zones.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the U.S. aid delivered thus far has helped about 135,000 Burmese, but estimates place the number of needy as high as 2.5 million. Clearly, more needs to be done, he said, and the United States is ready and has the capacity, along with others, to provide and deliver much more assistance.

ALL READY U.S. MILITARY ASSETS OFFERED FOR RELIEF MISSIONS

The commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy Keating, flew to Burma on the first in-bound aid flight to negotiate access for the incoming aid. Morrell said Defense Secretary Robert Gates favors “using any and all assets to try to provide some humanitarian relief to the poor people of Burma.”

U.S. military planners have six CH-53 helicopters available to move supplies inland, but have not received permission from the Burmese leadership to do so. Burma’s own helicopter capacity is quite limited.

U.S. military personnel are standing by in Guam, Japan and Thailand ready to provide assistance. There are also U.S. ships poised off the coast of Burma that can help provide ready relief.

So far the Burmese government reports 35,000 people dead and another 30,000 missing. United Nations estimates have been higher. International nongovernmental organizations suggest that even those figures could be dwarfed if disease is not contained.

Clean water and medical care are the most pressing concerns for victims. Morrell said Gates believes it would be a great tragedy if the Burmese government did not take advantage of “the incredible generosity of the American people and the incredible capability of the U.S. military in providing relief to their storm-stricken people.”

Air Force Captain Trevor Hall flew the first relief flight into Burma May 12 with pallets of water bottles, medical supplies and plastic sheeting in a C-130 Hercules cargo plane. He said the crew and passengers, including Henrietta Fore, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, “were received very graciously” by the Burmese military -- many of whom were dressed in civilian clothes. The Burmese military helped unload the aircraft by hand, he said, because they did not have the forklifts needed to do the job mechanically.

Hall said there was a huge military welcome -- including gifts -- for Fore and Keating. Keating assured the Burmese that U.S. aircraft would deliver only relief supplies and not weapons.

“Everyone that was there [to greet them on the tarmac] was so ecstatic to have us on the ground,” Hall said, “even the military.” In fact, he said, a number of Burmese had cameras and wanted to be photographed with aircraft and crew.

Hall said his crew felt good knowing they could help the Burmese. Humanitarian relief missions are important beyond the people-to-people aspect, he said, because they show that the United States can provide aid to those in need “whenever and wherever.”

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