Comments on: Myanmar/Burma Cyclone Situation and Charitable Giving

By: a case of conflicting principles « Paradigm Shifted

a case of conflicting principles « Paradigm Shifted — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:01:22 +0000

[...] by deepali on May 21, 2008 I recently wrote a guest post on Mrs. Micah, discussing the situation and ways in which we can help. One of the major dilemmas we face in [...]

By: plonkee

plonkee — Sun, 18 May 2008 16:27:06 +0000

I guess there comes a point when you have to decide whether it’s more important to oppose a heinous government or maybe attempt to improve a few lives. And, in the case of Myanmar, that’s a question to which there are no right answers – only deeply wrong ones. The world is not a perfect place.

By: fathersez

fathersez — Sun, 18 May 2008 04:32:41 +0000

The situation is so sad. There are a lot of Myyanmar people in Malaysia working at menial labour to help out their families back home.

Their Government is so odd. Last year there was the monks uprising……and these monks are the most patient and peaceful people you can think of.

Now with the threat of yet another cyclone, the prospects are frightening.

By: Weekend Roundup - Giveaway Winners | beingfrugal.net

Weekend Roundup - Giveaway Winners | beingfrugal.net — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:08:04 +0000

[...] Myanmar/Burma Cyclone Situation and Charitable Giving at Mrs. Micah [...]

By: deepali

deepali — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:36:18 +0000

It’s definitely a moral quandary. But the innocent people of Burma are not responsible for the terrible actions of their government (and in fact, risk their lives to effect change), and I don’t think they should be punished for it.
It would be as if people in other countries denied aid to New Orleans after Katrina because they were opposed to the war in Iraq. The government (in any country) gets a cut of everything.

If even a small amount of donations makes its way to the right places, and some lives are saved, I think that’s enough for me.

That’s why I recommend donating to the groups that have local partners. They operate outside the government (unlike the intl NGOs who require cooperation with the government), and little of that funding will go towards the dictatorship.

And yes, the government failed to the warn and evacuate the people – just one in a long list of failures, IMHO. It’s really tragic.

By: mrsmicah

mrsmicah — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:37:23 +0000

@castocreation, @Patrick, I agree, it’s troubling to think that some of the money would go to the junta. I’m torn between hoping that something would get through…

I just can’t understand a situation how a government would treat their own people this way.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:07:57 +0000

This situation is extremely frustrating for the world community. There are a lot of people willing and able to give assistance. Unfortunately, the de facto government is too greedy,suspicious, and scared to allow aid to reach people. I’ll give prayers, but unfortunately, I think any monetary assistance would not be effective. It really is sad.

By: castocreations

castocreations — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:35:58 +0000

My concern with giving for this huge tragedy is that even the aid workers who are there will be unable to help. The government there is a nightmare and so far all I’ve heard is that almost all aid is being distributed to the military and leaders. Only the rotten food has gotten to the people.

Which is why I hesitate to donate. In almost every other disaster like this I am right there donating. But this time … I just do NOT know where my money is going to go and I do not want it to go to prop up the evil dictatorship.

It’s a tragedy beyond tragedy. I also read that the government knew the cyclone was coming and did nothing to warn people to evacuate (though I don’t know if they even have the capability to warn people…who knows).

By: Stephanie Chance

Stephanie Chance — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:15:27 +0000

Thank you for this information.