Burma asks for $11bn to rebuild
26/5/08
Representatives of more than 50 nations met in cyclone-stricken Burma last night to pledge billions of dollars towards the country’s rebuilding as speculation grew that the junta was preparing to release imprisoned pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. Burma’s ruling generals want the world to donate nearly $US11billion ($11.5 billion) to rebuild the country and help about 2.4 million survivors in need of aid. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said last night he was hopeful “a turning point” had been reached in tackling Burma’s crisis. The one-day, 52-nation conference began on a note of optimism following promises by the military junta that foreign aid workers could enter the most devastated areas, from which they have been banned since the cyclone three weeks ago.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23756159-2703,00.html
Tags: Burma, Cyclone, Environment, Survivors