"In statement No. 4/2008, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) declared a State of Emergency in Irrawaddy, Yangon, and Pegu Divisions and Karen and Mon States as a result of Cyclone Nargis's devastating destruction on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2008. Because of the storm, hundreds of thousand of people have died and remain missing. The storm caused catastrophic and unprecedented damage of people's property in Burma. Victims and their relatives, including ethnic nationalities, are overwhelmed by their loss. Under these circumstances, people have no desire to vote in the upcoming referendum. However, in spite of the people's plight, authorities adamantly plan to hold the referendum. As authorities neglect people's basic needs and struggles for food, shelter, and clothing, they continue to work with supporting organizations to coerce people to vote â”yes” in the referendum in support of their constitution..."