May

15

Myanmar cyclone toll estimates soar

Filed Under Natural Disasters | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | Leave a Comment

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myanamar_5331.jpgJohn Holmes, U.N. under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, stated his organization by now has confirmed 38,491 deaths — much more than the 22,000 figure from Myanmar’s government.

State radio said Thursday that the draft constitution was approved by more than 92 percent of the 22 million eligible voters. It put turnout at more than 99 percent, AP reported. Human rights groups have denounced the referendum as a way for the junta to solidify military rule.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies do not formally estimate death tolls, he said. It compiled figures through an informal survey of numbers cited by other organizations. Those groups say the cyclone affected from 1.6 million and 2.5 million people.

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May

8

Myanmar death toll may cross 100,000: US

Filed Under World News | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | Leave a Comment

burma1.jpgHungry people swarmed the few open shops and fistfights broke out over food and water in Myanmar’s swamped Irrawaddy delta Wednesday as a top U.S. diplomat warned that the death toll from a devastating cyclone could top 100,000.

“The information that we`re receiving indicates that there may well be over 100,000 deaths in the delta area,” said Shari Villarosa, the charge d`affaires of the US embassy in Myanmar.

The minutes of a U.N. aid meeting Continue reading…



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