As Myanmar reels from the staggering tragedy of Cyclone Nargis, it's becoming more apparent every hour that the country faces a long, painful road to recovery.

The disaster killed tens of thousands and could leave millions homeless.

The United States rightly committed to sending another $3 million to augment its original $250,000 contribution; other nations are expected to step up and help.

Reports trickling out of the disaster areas say that entire villages have been wiped out, fresh water is scarce and there's little or no food.

Much of the damage occurred in the fertile Irrawaddy Delta, a primary source of the country's rice supply, now flooded with salty water and threatening the country with massive food shortages.

The situation is exacerbated by the repressive and secretive military regime that controls Myanmar.

The government's security restrictions have hampered international relief agencies, who have been kept waiting for visas. Even organizations within the country have been blocked from devastated areas, aid workers report.

In the face of such suffering, such intransigence is intolerable and unsustainable. Indeed, if there is any glimmer of hope in the cyclone's wake, it's the possibility of opening a closed country to the wider world, now ready and willing to help.