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Speculations about cutting humanitarian and development assistance to Burma by Japanese government over the death of Japanese photojournalist who was shot dead by the junta's troops in one of the recent protests raised concerns in the aid community in Rangoon. Recently, two offcials from international NGOs called for increased aid to Burma citing the level of assistance in neighboring countries. For the time being, it seems international community has no weapon except sanctions if the junta continues to refuse to hold genuine talks with oppositions and accept international mediation. The effectiveness of these sanctions also depend on the willingness of China, India, Russia, ASEAN and other regional countries to cooperate with UN, US and EU.
 
At the same time, increased humanitarian assistance to Burma under these circumstances may not be a good idea and can be counterproductive to current struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma. International community must take a new approach to humanitarian aid to  Burma. They must take into consideration of following points.
 
First, it is very likely that the junta will create incentives for USDA and its thugs for their contribution to recent crackdowns on monks and people. To do this, they will tighten restrcitions on the activities of aid agencies and make attempts to channel assistance to their thuggish USDA members such as insisiting on recruiting their people in accordance with their guidelines. It will really tarnish the image of aid organizations particularly UN agencies. And in this case, humanitarian assistance will not reach to the target population and instead fall into the hands of junta's thugs. Delivering aid can amount to strengthening the junta and contributing to its repression.  It will irreparably tarnish the reputation of international aid agencies particularly UN organizations and people will become hostile to their acitivities and totally lost trust in them. Therefore, these aid agecies in Rangoon must implement their projects and deliver aid in accountable and transparent manners regardless of reprisals from the junta. They must send clear message to the junta they cannot work with their thugs even if it means closing down their offices.
 
Secondly, the junta completely lost legitimacy to rule the country since it bruatally crackdown on Buddhist monks and people peacefully calling for basic needs, reconciliation and release of political prisoners. Burmese people from all walks of life are determined to continue their struggle regardless of the amount of sacrifice they have to make. It is a struggle between the whole population of the country and military. Policy debate cannot be confined to humanitarian issue and the approach development first political change later will no longer work in this impoverished country. Everyone is now calling for political change. Aid agencies must be keenly aware of this fact and take appropriate actions to support the people. Time for humanitarian rhetoric is over. (Don't talk about realpolitik or engagement at all costs advocated by junta's apologists.)
 
Finally, a new strategy for effective delivery of humanitarian assistance must be formulated and in the process it is very important to mobilize and seek advice from genuine civil society organizations working both inside and outside as well as democratic oppositions to bring about change.
 
Just providing symptomatic treatment to our country's deep-rooted social, economic and political problems is not sufficient. It's time for action for real change.
 
Kaung Ba Deh