Despite the death toll in Burma reaching 100,000 and still climbing after the devastating cyclone that hit its shores a week ago, the insurance industry has barely been touched.

Cyclone Nargis tore through the Irrawaddy delta region with winds at 213kmh and continued over the country’s largest city Rangoon; but it was the accompanying 3.6-metre tidal surge that caused the most devastation.

While insurance costs following the Burma disaster are expected to be minimal, the industry was in the spotlight just a few weeks ago after global broker Willis announced it would cease operating in the country.

Democracy support groups have claimed credit for the Willis decision, which followed its inclusion in a European “dirty list”, designed to embarrass companies doing business in Burma.

Swiss Re and Aon are among an estimated 100 global companies to have pulled out of Burma in the past year.

Campaigners claim insurers facilitate trade and investment with the country’s military dictatorship.