What I Learned Today posted some intriguing (and totally depressing) information about the Burmese government profiting from foreign aid sent to assist those affected by the cyclone.

The cyclone is estimated to have killed 130,000 (78,000 dead and 56,000 missing) and left 2.5 million refugees. Many countries have attempted to provide aid, but the junta initially denied it. They have slowly been allowing more and more aid, per the urging of the UN, China, and ASEAN (the Association of South-East Asian Nations), but likely many lives have been lost due to the delay. What aid has been allowed may not be getting to the right place, as allegations have emerged that the Burmese officials were selling the aid supplies including donations of rice, cooking oil and diesel on the black market. Yangon residents have found packs of Thai salt in markets that they assume were meant to be distributed freely (Thailand was first to send aid). One local even recounted the time when drugs from UNICEF were available for purchase in the markets.