National League for Democracy
No. (97/b) West Shwegondine Street
Bahan Township, Yangon

Date: May 6, 2008

 Special Statement 8/05/08

 Hundreds of thousands of people have died, are wounded, or remain missing in Irrawaddy, Yangon, and Pegu Divisions and Mon and Karen States as a result of Cyclone Nargis which devastated the region on May 2nd and 3rd 2008.  Water, electricity, and transportation are cut off, commodity prices are rising, health conditions are degenerating, and moreover, vital infrastructure for the people Burma has been destroyed. The National League for Democracy (NLD) is extremely concerned and saddened by the overwhelming loss of life, property, and infrastructure in Burma.

In addition to the Burmese people’s continued daily struggles for food, shelter, and clothing, strong natural disasters like this force people into great distress and desperation.  Therefore, the NLD requests that its members cooperate with people in respective areas to clear roads for better transportation, to provide water and fire, to donate medicines and food supplies, to provide healthcare service, and so on, utilizing all available resources including money, materials, and labor.

Although the aforementioned States and Divisions have been declared states of emergency by authorities, there is no proof of assistance to victims of the cyclone on the ground.  If aid and assistance do not reach the victims in time, people’s lives and property will continue to atrophy and deteriorate day after day.  In the wake of this overwhelming disaster, it is devastating to see that the military regime gives priority to the constitutional referendum over protecting the social plight of people.

Therefore, the NLD, on behalf of people, makes a special appeal to the international community, including the Untied Nations, to provide immediate assistance to aid the people of Burma and restore the destroyed infrastructure to end the suffering and plight in Burma as quickly as possible.

Ordinary relief efforts cannot solve this national crisis.  The NLD calls for cooperation by all organizations to provide international assistance to the victims of the storm as quickly as possible, and utilizing the right channels.

 

As per the decision of Central Executive Committee held on May 5, 2008,

Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy