Publication

Cyclone Nargis struck the coast of Burma in the evening of May 2, 2008 and cut a path of destruction across the southern portion of the country. The storm left in its wake at least 22,000 dead, 41,000 more missing, and extensive damage to the nation’s premier agricultural areas. Some have speculated that the final number of dead could reach 100,000. Vital infrastructure was destroyed by the storm, severely limiting the ability to assess the loss of life and provide assistance to the survivors. In addition, much of Burma’s most productive agricultural land has been severely damaged; some experts expect that it will take up to two years for Burma’s production of rice, seafood, pork and poultry to recover, and that the nation may face chronic food shortages and the need for international assistance for many months. This report examines the scope of and response to the disaster, as well as its links to Burma’s political situation and U.S. policy.