As I write this, another powerful natural disaster in the form of an earthquake has caused massive destruction in central China. It is a situation that requires much prayer for the victims as well as a helping hand. However, I wish to focus this entry on another humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where a little over a week ago, a cyclone ravaged the isolationist country, killing an estimated 33,000 people and leaving millions of others without basic necessities.

Much controversy has surrounded the military junta's handling of the clear and present humanitarian crisis in its country. While it recognized the massive needs of humanitarian aid, the government effectively prevented international relief workers from entering the country. Only in the past several days has the government slowly eased its stance towards international relief workers, but that is not saying much. The military junta, in an attempt to construe an image as the Burmese peoples' only means for hope, has effectively consolidated power to distribute supplies. It has even forbidden its own citizens from any philanthropy towards their own neighbors much to the dismay of those in need.

The death toll continues to rise with the delay of much needed supplies in the most hard-pressed areas. The U.S., the United Nations, other countries, and international relief organizations have mobilized teams armed with resources, ready to deploy at a moment's notice. Meanwhile, the Burmese leadership plays a political game with the lives of those suffering by refusing to open its borders to relief workers. It is a travesty that the government has put its own political agenda over human life.

But history has shown that international pressure may prove very futile. In September 2007, the world vehemently protested the Burmese brutal suppression of democracy movements inspired by Buddhist monks in Yangon. Yet, the military junta ruthlessly held onto power, consolidating its grip on its people. Today, world leaders have issued harsh statements condemning the government's relief efforts (or lack thereof). Only time will tell if the present government can continue to rule in a brutal, totalitarian way. But I join in the sentiments of United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon when he said, "This is not about politics, it is about saving people's lives. There is absolutely no more time to lose."