Nargis

It was kind of sickening to read about how the Burmese junta is reacting to the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.

Despite offers of aid and assistance from many other countries, they are refusing entries to foreign rescue workers. A conservative estimate of 100,000 fatalities was given and the number definitely will rise in the coming rainy season when the problems of disease and food shortage are exuberated.

According to some reports, the deeply superstitious junta leaders are waiting for their soothsayers to guide them. This is simply blatant disregard for human lives; thousands of people who can be saved with the foreign aid are left to die because of the decision.

Aid packages are lying inside airplanes which are not allowed to enter Myanmar. The referendum for the new constitution will still be carried out. Is this cyclone the beginning of the end of the junta? Hopefully but what is the alternative for the Burmese?

Will Aung San Suu Kyi able to govern the country effectively? Can a democratic government resist the temptations of the country's wealth? These are new questions facing Myanmar in the event that the junta is no longer in power.

However, the most critical problem facing those in the Irrawady delta region is that of survival. I haven't managed to get in contact with Pastor Patrick regarding the condition of the orphanages which we visited last December. Hopefully everyone is safe but life is definitely going to get tougher for them due to soaring fuel and food prices.

I am reminded once again how lucky we are in Singapore.