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Burma victims 'need aid quickly' Burma victims 'need aid quickly'
(20 minutes 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.
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. A BBC reporter who has managed to get into the tightly controlled country says the government seems more inclined to manage information than bring aid.
Survivors faced poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean water, Unicef said in statement. UN agencie, meanwhile, are negotiating for access.
Highly vulnerable The work of international agencies is restricted in Burma but there are some indications that the disaster may bring more flexibility from the government.
Flooding could lead to outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever, while water-born diseases such as cholera and dysentery were also a threat. Richard Horsey, a spokesman for the UN's disaster relief agency OCHA said that the Burmese government had named Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint to oversee visa applications for aid agencies.
"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. "The appointment of someone at ministerial cabinet level on these things, we hope, will start to move things quickly," he told the French news agency AFP.
Reports from Geneva, meanwhile, say that Burma has agreed to allow in a UN flight carrying emergency supplies.
'Time of the essence'
Andrew Kirkwood, Burma country director for Save the Children, said the situation in the country was urgent.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION UN map showing worst-hit areas, based on satellite imagery [1.13MB] Most computers will open PDFs automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
See how satellites tracked cycloneSee more UN cyclone maps The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites		EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION UN map showing worst-hit areas, based on satellite imagery [1.13MB] Most computers will open PDFs automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
See how satellites tracked cycloneSee 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. "In some areas we know that the areas are still completely under water, under salt water... some people have absolutely no drinking water and food.
Assessment teams are on the ground and some aid is beginning to make its way to those who need it. "Unless assistance gets into those kinds of areas very soon, the death toll will rise."
"We are still thinking positively that we will be able to reach everyone, but it is a race against time at the moment."
The UN agency Unicef warned that survivors faced poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean water, as well as the threat of diseases such as malaria, cholera and dysentery.
"Time is of the essence," 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."
Under water
Assessment teams are on the ground and in some places aid is beginning to make its way to those who need it.
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.
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. Details are continuing to emerge of the destruction caused by the cyclone, which caused a sea surge 12 ft (3.5m) high.
"The government has shown a certain openness so far," said Elisabeth Byrs of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 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
"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."
Under water
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.
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. Mr Kirkwood 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 said.
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.
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