Are the numbers correct in Burma?

**Devastatin Dave** · 05-09-2008, 17:22

I've seen the number of dead range from 20,000 to possibly 200,000. I'm trying not to allow my cynicism cloud my judgment, but there is a part of me thinking that unless outside agencies can confirm these #'s, I'm less likely to donate to the cause. I know that sounds harsh, but I'm not wasting money or materials on the impulse of goodwill. So here's the question...
Do you donate a little now and if the numbers are confirmed, send more? I'm kind of leaning towards this option. What will you do personally?

**Don Corleone** · 05-09-2008, 17:31

The fundamental problem in all of this DevDave is the number of 'missing'. This wasn't just another Katrina. The storm washed ashore in a tropical river delta where large numbers of people lived in rice paddies, at approximately -1meter sea level.

So there's up to 200,000 missing people right now. There are 20,000 corpses. Of the 200K, the majority were probably washed out to sea and are presumed dead, but not known to be. There were probably some survivors who just haven't checked in yet, but these people didn't have houses and roofs to climb on. They were living in grass huts at or slightly below sea level.

Scary stuff.

**drone** · 05-09-2008, 17:39

The junta apparently has confiscated the UN aid shipments that arrived today (Burma time), and intend to control the release of that aid. There are serious concerns about how the aid is going to get where it is needed, so I'm not sure donations are going to be spent properly.

**gaelic cowboy** · 05-09-2008, 18:59

I read earlier on the UN was suspending aid till they stop robbing it so this could get ugly and quickly.

**Banquo's Ghost** · 05-09-2008, 20:00

Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave

Do you donate a little now and if the numbers are confirmed, send more? I'm kind of leaning towards this option. What will you do personally?

Sadly, I'm not remotely convinced that any aid will be spent wisely or effectively given the refusal of the military government to accept outside help. They are fine with the actual money, you understand, but they need to spend it, don't you know.

I tend to choose my giving very carefully and that often excludes disaster relief as it is invariably ineffective - at least as far as private giving goes. I don't intend to give my money to ensure the brutal dictators and their soldiers get fed or - buy more arms from the donors.