BURMA: UN and U.S. Agencies Assisted Cyclone Victims in Difficult Environment, but Improved U.S. Monitoring Needed
Abstract
Cyclone Nargis hit Burma's impoverished Irrawaddy Delta on May2, 2008, leaving nearly 140,000 people dead or missing and severely affecting about 2.4 million others, according to the UN. The Burmese military government initially blocked most access to the affected region; however, amid international pressure, it slowly began allowing international aid workers entry into the region. Since 1997, the United States has imposed sanctions to prohibit, among other things, the exportation of financial services to Burma and transactions with Burmese officials. In response to a congressional mandate, GAO (1)described the assistance UN and U.S. agencies have provided in response to Cyclone Nargis, (2) assessed USAID actions to help ensure funds are used as intended and do not benefit sanctioned entities, and (3) described the challenges responders experienced and the lessons learned. GAO reviewed financial and program documents; interviewed U.S., UN, and nongovernmental organization (NGO) officials; and traveled to Thailand and Burma.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- AD1179627
Entities
People
- Ashley Alley
- Bonnie Derby
- Cheryl Goodman
- David Dayton
- Elizabeth Guran
- Etana Finkler
- Jena Sinkfield
- Kai Carter
- Kimberly Mcgatlin
- Lauren Fassler
- Martin de Alteriis
- Michael Maslowski
- Ranya Elias
- Sada Aksartova
- Susan Ragland
- Thomas Melito
- Will Horton
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office