From the very scanty news that has reached the global media it is already clear that a human catastrophe of the highest category is taking place in Burma. Some figures indicate that the numbers of deaths known so far may be around 200,000. In one area alone around 80,000 people are dead. By all indications there is not only an absence of anything that may be called an adequate response but there is a visible inability to make a coordinated and well organised response to this tragedy.
From the sheer numbers and from a purely humanitarian point of view this tragedy compares with the worst seen in the region and, in fact, globally. However, what is missing even when we compare it to the tsunami which affected several countries in Asia on December 26, 2004, is a quick and efficient response with a moral determination that is equal to deal with the tragedy. The type of neglect we see in Burma is one that will kill more and more persons who can be saved and who can be helped.
Though not equal to the proportion of the tragedy, there has been a significant response from the global community and also from the neighbours. No doubt far more needs to be done within the shortest time possible. However, the main obstacle to dealing with the tragedy comes from Burmas military ruling regime. Initially the regime was not even willing to admit the tragedy and later tried to minimize it. Whether this was done simply because of the very nature of the inward looking regime, which does not possess sufficient capacity to generate an information flow about actual social conditions of the people or whether they were suppressing the information that they possess is not really the issue. Now that the partial information available reveals a tragedy of the worst proportions there is no political or moral justification to obstruct any and every form of intervention to save lives.
The unwillingness of the regime should not be taken as an excuse by the global community to allow the situation to degenerate and to allow more people to die or suffer when, in fact, it is possible to prevent it. It is just a question of the level of pressure that needs to be applied on a regime by everyone including the friends of the regime. China and India have an irrefutable moral and political obligation to intervene with the regime and to do so with effective pressure to change this situation. It is also the duty of other powerful neighbours in the region such as Thailand, South Korea and Japan not to spare any effort to get space for humanitarian assistance. The mere verbal football of making accusations of non-cooperation by the regime is inexcusable under the present circumstances.
In fact, the worlds diplomatic community faces a serious moral challenge in Burma. Has it the capacity and the will, at least, to make a meaningful intervention in a moment of the worst human tragedies that has arisen out a natural disaster. Can the factor of the absence of political will on the part of the existing regime be dealt with effectively by quick and strong diplomacy? Of course this challenge will also test the United Nations capacity to deal with this humanitarian crisis.
It is time once again for the global media to demonstrate that in the time of crises like this, the media has the highest potential of making the difference. Even the limited information we now have reveals the appalling and outrageous events that have taken place in the country. With more information it is very likely that the world will respond even more generously to deal with this crisis and also to bring political and moral pressure on the Burmese regime to respond to the sufferings of the people.
