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A Disastrous Response
If any situation applies to Pope Benedict XVI's assertion that the international community is morally obligated to aid suffering peoples struck by natural disasters, it's the current situation in Myanmar—where as many as 2.4 million cyclone victims are believed to be in dire need of help. The international community responded swiftly to the disaster in the former Burma, with ships from the United States, Britain and France standing by to aid the relief effort with clean water, doctors, medical supplies and more. Foreign helicopters were ready to deliver desperately needed food and other supplies to the hard-hit southwestern delta; agencies like Catholic Relief Services, Caritas, WorldVision and International Red Cross Red Crescent were taking donations and had skilled ground personnel at the ready. But nearly three weeks after the May 2 Cyclone Nargis wreaked its devastation, leaving 134,000 dead so far, Myanmar's reclusive ruling junta continues to restrict foreign aid and relief workers' access to survivors—while the threat of mass starvation, disease and exposure to the elements grows. Pope Benedict, addressing the United Nations April 18 during his six-day U.S. trip, said nations of the world are responsible not just for protecting their citizens from violations of their human rights, but also for protecting them from the consequences of natural and man-made disasters. If nations fail to provide that protection, Pope Benedict said, the Òinternational community must intervene,Ó using the authority of the U.N. charter. Such intervention should not be seen as a limitation of a country's sovereignty or as an unwarranted imposition. On the contrary, indifference or failure to act is what does the real damage, the pope said. Early this week, the U.N.'s top humanitarian aid official, John Holmes, was in Myanmar, where he met with Prime Minister Thein Sein to appeal for the government to allow more international aid. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, due to arrive in Myanmar May 22, hoped to tour the hardest-hit area and further make the case for a sharp increase in assistance. Others in the international community have stepped in as well. To accommodate Myanmar's suspicions of the west, the country's Asian neighbors—including India, Thailand and China (itself struggling in the aftermath of an earthquake that killed more than 40,000)—have agreed to oversee distribution of foreign relief. The pressure must not let up. Food, shelter, clean water and medical assistance are necessities of life that relief agencies around the world can provide in the wake of all kinds of natural disasters, and for refugee situations and other crises caused by man-made disasters such as war. They can react immediately, when there's a need. The world sees a need in Myanmar. It's time for that country's rulers to see it, too. Parishes Asked to Aid Victims with Prayers and Donations The archdiocese has called on Catholics to remember the victims of the recent earthquake in China and the cyclone in Myanmar with their prayers and charity. In a letter to pastors May 15, Msgr. William Belford, chancellor, suggested that prayers for those who are suffering could be added to the general intercessions at parish Masses. The chancellor also said that pastors who wished to take a special collection could schedule one. The money collected will be forwarded by Cardinal Egan to Catholic bishops in the suffering areas, the letter said.
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