"Boat Carrying Myanmar Aid Sinks; toll climbs to 28, 458"

I. Citation

“Boat Carrying Myanmar Aid Sinks; toll climbs to 28,458”

China Daily

May 11, 2008

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2008-05/11/content_6675934.htm

II. Summary

This article discusses how a Red Cross boat carrying supplies for the victims of the cyclone in Myanmar sank today, Sunday May 11, 2008. This is particularly devastating since more and more victims are being found dead, and with these supplies being lost, it is possible that people who are in need of these supplies might die as well. Thankfully, the four representatives of the Red Cross who were also traveling on the ship to deliver the supplies survived. Some of the supplies were also able to be salvaged. This shows us how we always need to be prepared for all situations, and that we even need to have a back up to the back up plan. It also shows us how we need to work together in situations like this. The people of Myanmar do not deserve to suffer just because the supply ship went down. Anyone who can should donate what they can, so that the people of Myanmar, as well as others in need around the world can be helped.

III. Reactions

a. This article relates to the AP World History theme of impact of interaction among and within major societies. This is because an international organization, the Red Cross, who gains its supplies from areas that are not in need and can afford to donate, is interacting with the society of Myanmar, trying to help its people with the devastating after math of the cyclone that recently passed through Myanmar.

b. Myanmar, also commonly known as Burma, is an area near the Indian Ocean that borders India, Bangladesh, China, and Thailand. It is an area that is prone to storms, and on Sunday, May 4, 2008, a cyclone hit the area of Myanmar. So far, the death total is 25,458, but this number could still climb, as the number of people missing is currently 33,416. The Red Cross is an organization that collects and provides supplies to areas and people in need, and today, Sunday May 11, 2008, one of the supply ships traveling to Myanmar sank, so many of the supplies were lost.

c. This article was most likely written from the point of view of a Chinese person, as it comes from the source, The China Daily, but the author of the article is unlisted. Although this technically makes the writer an outsider, they are probably very knowledgeable with everything involved with the cyclone, since China and Myanmar are in very close relation to each other.

d. The author’s point of view does not strongly affect the way that the issue was reported. If anything, the author wrote showing their concern for the people of Myanmar, in a way that was respectful and showing sympathy for the victims. If they did in fact do anything besides report the facts, they made a convincing case that people who can afford to, need to step up and help by donating what they can. The support of these people is always needed in devastating situations such as this.

e. A point of view that is missing from the article is that of a victim of the cyclone (not a representative of the Myanmar sect of the Red Cross, but a person who is in need of the supplies that the Red Cross can give). This would be helpful in noting how much supplies were needed for the victims in Myanmar, and would better help the Red Cross to understand how they need to step up and provide these supplies, as well as inspiration for others who need to donate these supplies.

f. It is very sad that something like this, the sinking of an important supply ship, happened after something so horrible, the Myanmar Cyclone, had already occurred. Anybody who can afford to donate supplies to the Red Cross so they can provide them to the people of Myanmar should, so that no more lives are lost than already have been. Without these supplies, living conditions will not improve, and more casualties are sure to occur. There is no reason why this has to happen, so we should all do our part in order to help these people if we can.