The government of Myanmar issued new guidelines that would entail massive paperwork and multilayered coordination before a relief group could extend aid to cyclone survivors. Aside from getting clearance from government ministries and local authorities, aid agencies must secure authorization from the Tripartite Core Group, which comprises officials of the government, United Nations agencies and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies feared that the “additional steps for seeking approval may unnecessarily delay the relief response.” The organization is currently focusing on providing shelter, as less than half of the 341,000 target families have received shelter kits.
Source: Myanmar red tape delays cyclone aid, agencies say (AP)
