Bishop's heartfelt plea for Burmese
The Bishop of Shrewsbury has launched a stinging attack against the Burmese authorities, accusing them of dragging their feet as thousands suffered. The Bishop of Shrewsbury has launched a stinging attack against the Burmese authorities, accusing them of dragging their feet as thousands suffered. The Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith called for continued international pressure from world leaders, but said everybody could play their part in relieving the effects of Cyclone Nargis. The death toll from the cyclone jumped to nearly 29,000 yesterday amid warnings that the military junta, which has ruled the isolated nation with an iron fist for nearly four decades, was creating a "humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions". Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
The Bishop of Shrewsbury has launched a stinging attack against the Burmese authorities, accusing them of dragging their feet as thousands suffered.
The Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith called for continued international pressure from world leaders, but said everybody could play their part in relieving the effects of Cyclone Nargis.
The death toll from the cyclone jumped to nearly 29,000 yesterday amid warnings that the military junta, which has ruled the isolated nation with an iron fist for nearly four decades, was creating a "humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions".
Mr Smith said: "Of course I'm standing a long way off, but it would appear to be absolutely appalling that they are hindering people who are ready, waiting and keen, with expertise and resources, to come in and help while people are dying hour by hour.
"I lament that and I am deeply saddened by it."
He added: "I think there needs to be a diplomatic effort made by our government and other governments protesting very strongly; but meanwhile I think there are ways that any of us who have means of giving and making a difference should do so.
"In particular there is an Anglican church in Myanmar, there are people on the ground there and we have contact with them via one of our mission agencies: USPG, Anglicans in World Mission."
His comments came ahead of the United States today delivering its first airlift carrying emergency relief supplies to Burma.
A military C-130 cargo plane packed with supplies left a Thai air force base earlier today and landed in Burma's biggest city, Rangoon. Two more are scheduled to land tomorrow.
The supplies were transferred to Burmese army trucks.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband yesterday blamed the "malign neglect" of the Burmese regime for turning the disaster into a "humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions".
By David Burrows
