Sunday, May 11, 2008
Aid group warns that 1.5 million people in danger after Myanmar cyclone (2:15 p.m.)
BANGKOK, Thailand -- British aid group Oxfam has warned that the lives of up to 1.5 million cyclone victims in Myanmar could be in danger from disease if clean water and sanitation are not provided soon.
Oxfam's regional chief Sarah Ireland says "there are all the factors" for a public health catastrophe. She says the death toll from the May 3 cyclone is likely to be 100,000 - and that number could eventually multiply by 15 times.
"We are afraid there is a real risk of a massive public catastrophe waiting to happen in Myanmar," she said Sunday. "It is a perfect storm, if you will." (AP) |
