This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7387037.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Burma victims 'need aid quickly' Burma victims 'need aid quickly'
(about 3 hours later)
Aid agencies are calling for speedy access to survivors as the scale of the disaster in Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis becomes apparent.Aid agencies are calling for speedy access to survivors as the scale of the disaster in Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis becomes apparent.
Hundreds of thousands of survivors face disease and hunger, agencies warn. "Time is of the essence," said the head of the UN children's agency Unicef.Hundreds of thousands of survivors face disease and hunger, agencies warn. "Time is of the essence," said the head of the UN children's agency Unicef.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed and up to a million are without shelter in the Irrawaddy delta region.Tens of thousands of people have been killed and up to a million are without shelter in the Irrawaddy delta region.
UN aid agencies are negotiating for access to the tightly-controlled state.UN aid agencies are negotiating for access to the tightly-controlled state.
Survivors faced poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean water, Unicef said in statement.Survivors faced poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean water, Unicef said in statement.
Highly vulnerable
Flooding could lead to outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever, while water-born diseases such as cholera and dysentery were also a threat.Flooding could lead to outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever, while water-born diseases such as cholera and dysentery were also a threat.
"In situations such as these, children are highly vulnerable to disease and hunger and they need immediate help to survive," Ann Veneman, Executive Director of the agency said."In situations such as these, children are highly vulnerable to disease and hunger and they need immediate help to survive," Ann Veneman, Executive Director of the agency said.
Visa call EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/06_05_08_unosat_myanmar.pdf">UN map showing worst-hit areas, based on satellite imagery [1.13MB] Most computers will open PDFs automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7385423.stm">See how satellites tracked cyclone class="" href="http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/">See more UN cyclone maps The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
International relief agencies have been calling on Burma's military government to relax restrictions on their operations in the wake of the disaster.International relief agencies have been calling on Burma's military government to relax restrictions on their operations in the wake of the disaster.
Assessment teams are on the ground and some aid is beginning to make its way to those who need it.Assessment teams are on the ground and some aid is beginning to make its way to those who need it.
Many countries have promised humanitarian assistance to Burma Eyewitness reportsThe aid challengeCrucial test for junta
The World Food Programme has begun to distribute food in and around Burma's main city, Rangoon.The World Food Programme has begun to distribute food in and around Burma's main city, Rangoon.
The US, UK, EU and China have all pledged money towards relief efforts. Thailand has already shipped aid and India has sent two naval vessels.The US, UK, EU and China have all pledged money towards relief efforts. Thailand has already shipped aid and India has sent two naval vessels.
But parts of the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region remain isolated and aid experts are warning that a massive logistical effort will be required to assist people there.But parts of the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region remain isolated and aid experts are warning that a massive logistical effort will be required to assist people there.
UN and other aid agencies are urging Burma's leaders to allow foreign experts into the country to help.UN and other aid agencies are urging Burma's leaders to allow foreign experts into the country to help.
"The government has shown a certain openness so far," said Elisabeth Byrs of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs."The government has shown a certain openness so far," said Elisabeth Byrs of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
"We hope that we will get the visas as soon as possible, in the coming hours."We hope that we will get the visas as soon as possible, in the coming hours.
"I think the authorities have understood the seriousness of the situation and that they will act accordingly.""I think the authorities have understood the seriousness of the situation and that they will act accordingly."
Under waterUnder water
Meanwhile, details are continuing to emerge of the destruction caused by the cyclone. Swathes of southwest Burma are under water following the cyclone Meanwhile, details are continuing to emerge of the destruction caused by the cyclone.
Almost all of the deaths occurred in the Irrawaddy river delta region, where officials said the majority of people were killed by a tidal surge 12 ft (3.5m) high.Almost all of the deaths occurred in the Irrawaddy river delta region, where officials said the majority of people were killed by a tidal surge 12 ft (3.5m) high.
Satellite images released by the US space agency, Nasa, showed virtually the entire coastal plain of the country under water.Satellite images released by the US space agency, Nasa, showed virtually the entire coastal plain of the country under water.
Swathes of southwest Burma are under water following the cyclone
Some 95% of the homes in the city of Bogalay were destroyed and most of its 190,000 residents are reported to be homeless. The neighbouring cities of Labutta and Pyapon have also been badly affected.Some 95% of the homes in the city of Bogalay were destroyed and most of its 190,000 residents are reported to be homeless. The neighbouring cities of Labutta and Pyapon have also been badly affected.
Andrew Kirkwood, country director in Burma for Save the Children, said his staff had witnessed harrowing scenes in worst-hit parts of the region.Andrew Kirkwood, country director in Burma for Save the Children, said his staff had witnessed harrowing scenes in worst-hit parts of the region.
"One team came across thousands of people killed in one township, with piles of rotting bodies lying on the ground as the water had receded," he told the French news agency AFP."One team came across thousands of people killed in one township, with piles of rotting bodies lying on the ground as the water had receded," he told the French news agency AFP.
State media reported on Tuesday that 22,464 people had now been confirmed dead and another 41,054 people missing as a result of the cyclone.State media reported on Tuesday that 22,464 people had now been confirmed dead and another 41,054 people missing as a result of the cyclone.
As rescue teams get to areas presently cut off, those figures are expected to rise.As rescue teams get to areas presently cut off, those figures are expected to rise.


Are you in Burma, or do you have friends and family there? Have you - or they - been affected by the cyclone? Send your comments and pictures using the post form below.Are you in Burma, or do you have friends and family there? Have you - or they - been affected by the cyclone? Send your comments and pictures using the post form below.
You can also send your comments via text to +44 7624 800 100:You can also send your comments via text to +44 7624 800 100:
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
Name