A Disaster in Myanmar

Brutally efficient in suppressing protests, Myanmar's military junta is horribly incompetent in dealing with cyclone disaster unfolding in this impoverished nation. "The government, sensibly, has said it will welcome foreign aid, showing a small glint of humanity and gaining some credit from the outside world. However, it is wise never to overestimate the common sense or underestimate the callousness of this, one of the world’s most paranoid regimes."

World's growing food crisis may get another jolt from disaster in Burma, as urgent help is needed in cyclone stricken areas while taking humanitarian resources away from other regions where shortages of food is becoming acute. "Worse, the cyclone, which hit Myanmar’s main rice-growing areas, may intensify the worldwide panic over scarce rice supplies that have led to food riots in dozens of countries."

Link to The Economist article:
A Disaster in Myanmar