EU Calls on Myanmar Authorities to Open Humanitarian Gateway

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, has made a strong appeal to the Myanmar authorities to immediately allow more international humanitarian aid workers access to the country.

"I engaged in face to face negotiations with the Myanmar authorities arguing for concrete actions now," said Commissioner Michel at a press conference in Bangkok following his two day visit to Myanmar. "I'm pleased to see that there are some first positive signs such as the extension of visas for Commission staff. I believe they now understand a little better our humanitarian wish to simply help the victims of this catastrophe. I am frustrated, like so many, that more cannot be done at this stage but we must keep up the pressure for this gradual opening-up the humanitarian space in the coming days."

Commissioner Michel underlined that the international community had a duty to try every means to persuade the Myanmar authorities to allow humanitarian organizations greater access. He stated, "Our objective is simply to try to help the victims - the families, the mothers and children so badly affected. The Myanmar authorities have an obligation to help their own people by allowing the international community to bring in their live-saving expertise. No country can cope with such devastation on their own."

The European Commission has boosted its humanitarian funding to 17 million euros to help victims of Cyclone Nargis. In addition to the 2 million euros in fast track assistance announced last week, it has released 5 million euros from its food aid budget to support the work of the World Food Program in Myanmar and has launched a 10 million euros emergency decision for other relief activities by its partners to cover shelter, water/sanitation and health.