Writing in the Guardian, Thaung Htun lays out some of the hypocrises of the international community’s response to Burma: “In the case of Burma, such meek and ill-founded opinions have cost lives. Worse, they have cost future lives as the military regime remains in place and in control. This is no time for drawing pretty shapes on a map, or for finding squared-off, bureaucratised solutions to fit the round hole of disaster that exists in post-Nargis Burma. This is a time for action. The international community must run through the weak barriers thrown up by a regime taking advantage of the international community’s propensity to twiddle its thumbs in the face of a crisis.

These are obstacles made of shadows, that will crumble as soon as they are challenged and someone has the courage to push through the aid the Burmese desperately need – over, around or through the military regime. International precedent may well be set, but no one in Burma needs a history lesson. The military can’t handle this crisis, and there is a crying need for those who can.”

Action Plan