Why the ruling junta of Myanmar is so desperate to put their name on relief efforts, and to prevent the flow of much-needed food, sterile water, and medical supplies just boggles the mind.
Are they so sure that a few hundred relief workers from organizations such as CARE, Feed the Children, and other highly reputable NGO's will come and try to talk politics to the victims of this disaster?
They must be sure of one thing - that they are not beloved or respected by the people of Myanmar. Otherwise, the free flow of aid would not be an issue.
This just breaks my heart. As a corporate community, we learned so much from the Tsunami disaster in 2005. Don't send clothes and food, because of the cost of transportation. Provide funds and let the aid agencies buy locally where possible to jumpstart the local economies. Stay in the game beyond the relief cycle and be there for the recovery phase, when organizations such as Habitat for Humanity International should be involved.
Don't try to capitalize on the misery of others. Any press release touting your company's donation to aid/relief/recovery efforts is just inappropriate. Put it on your website, encourage employee donations to support the efforts, and match that with company dollars, or specialized equipment that's needed - that's fine. But don't try to sell your customers on some rinky-dinky do-good effort or how it's not affecting your business in the region, such as this one by Exotissima Travel.
It's not a crime, but it sure does feel like someone is being violated.
And what makes it worse, that's not the only such press release this week - other taking advantage of this situation include Wal-Mart - at least they have a little more skin in the game, with thousands of employees in their retail operations in China, as well as many hundreds of vendors and their companies.
