Humanitarian Crises in Burma and China: Contrasts and Next Steps

Public discussion forum

Death tolls continue to mount in the two recent natural disasters in Asia –the devastating Cyclone Nargis in Burma and the massive earthquake in China's Sichuan Province. In the case of Burma, the limited domestic capacity to respond and the reluctance of isolationist authorities to allow foreign aid workers into the affected regions have impeded recovery efforts and compounded the tragedy, raising ongoing questions about the international community's response to humanitarian crises in the face of local intransigence.

At a free noontime discussion panel on May 21, East-West Center scholars familiar with humanitarian disasters will offer perspectives on the two crises and discuss the future implications for the countries involved, the region and the United States. The topics covered will include disaster response priorities, the differences between the situations in Burma and China, critical health implications, the role of the international community and the longer-term impacts of these tragedies.

The panel will take place Wednesday, May 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the East-West Center Gallery, John A. Burns Hall, 1601 East-West Road (corner Dole St. & East-West Rd.). Parking will be available on the U.H. Manoa campus for $3.

Joining the panel will be East-West Center President Charles E. Morrison; Research Director Nancy Davis Lewis, an expert in international public health issues; Senior Fellow Shabbir Cheema, an expert in governance practices and civil institutions who spent many years as a United Nations program director; and Senior Fellow Allen Clark, a specialist in disaster planning and response.

Event Sponsor
East-West Center

More Information
EWC information, 944-7111, ewcinfo@eastwestcenter.org, http://www.eastwestcenter.org/events/east-west-center-events/?class_call=view&conf_ID=1509&mode=view

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