Remarks by Ambassador Michael W. Michalak

The Urgency of Burma’s Crisis
By U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
Michael W. Michalak

May 12, 2008

I am sure that, like me, the people of Vietnam have watched with deepening concern as the full extent of Cyclone Nargis’ destruction in Burma has revealed itself. The number of those affected and the extent of the damage to life and property is almost beyond comprehension. Our hearts go out to the many thousands who have lost loved ones, homes, all their belongings since the storm hit on May 3.

As was the case after the Tsunami nearby over three years ago, as soon as the level of devastation was clear the United States very quickly announced that we are prepared to participate energetically in international efforts to provide the desperately-needed assistance so critical to helping survivors and stemming the spread of disease and further devastation. We have made preparations to airlift the most vital supplies of food, medicine and tents using our planes. The U.S. Agency for International Development has allocated $3.25 million in initial assistance to date for the relief effort, of which $1 million has been allocated to the American Red Cross and $250,000 has been allocated to UN partners. And U.S. aid organizations, non-governmental associations and many other international partners are working to do what they can to help the people of Burma.

In Burma, however, the flow of aid has been frustratingly slow, especially given the extent of that country’s immediate needs. The United States is encouraging our partners to join us in urging the Burmese regime to grant access to disaster areas for international humanitarian relief teams. Secretary Rice has been calling her counterparts in the region. In Tokyo, Deputy Secretary Negroponte discussed the humanitarian crisis with his Japanese counterparts. Our Ambassador for ASEAN, Scot Marciel, was in the region attending the ASEAN Regional Forum and U.S.-ASEAN dialogue coordinating relief efforts with our Southeast Asian partners. And in Rangoon, U.S. Chargé Shari Villarosa continues to meet with Senior Burmese officials to reiterate the necessity of bringing in disaster assistance experts and to discuss U.S. plans for delivering relief goods.

I know that Vietnam is no stranger to national disasters. Over the course of the last two years alone, several typhoons have resulted in terrible loss of life and devastation particularly in coastal, central and southern Vietnam. The U.S. Embassy, through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, has provided well over one million dollars to provide emergency household supplies, and other assistance to thousands of Vietnamese affected by typhoons over recent years, helping them to get back to normal life.

I hope that Burma’s leaders will look today to Vietnam’s example in joining in friendship with those in the world who wish to help it face this terrible natural disaster. The United States is proud of its policy of extending a helping hand, and was also grateful when the nations of the world – including Vietnam – opened their hearts to us after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Through this sharing of hardships, we have done much to bring our nations and peoples closer together.