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Burma appeal set to be launched Burma appeal set to be launched
(about 2 hours later)
UK aid agencies are expected to launch a major appeal later to raise funds for the victims of Burma's cyclone. UK aid agencies are expected to launch a joint appeal later to raise funds for the victims of Burma's cyclone.
The death toll from the storm is now believed to be more than 22,000, with another 41,000 missing. Thousands more have no clean water or shelter.The death toll from the storm is now believed to be more than 22,000, with another 41,000 missing. Thousands more have no clean water or shelter.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is considering an appeal similar to that launched after the 2004 tsunami.The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is considering an appeal similar to that launched after the 2004 tsunami.
Britain has already pledged £5m in aid to help with the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, which hit Burma on Saturday. The UK government has already pledged £5m in aid for survivors of the cyclone, which hit Burma on Saturday.
The storm, which brought winds of up to 120mph and caused a huge tidal surge, is already being seen as the worst natural disaster in East Asia since the Boxing Day tsunami more than three years ago.The storm, which brought winds of up to 120mph and caused a huge tidal surge, is already being seen as the worst natural disaster in East Asia since the Boxing Day tsunami more than three years ago.
Prices soarPrices soar
The UK government is deploying an emergency field team to the country and several British organisations have made pleas for donations to help ease food shortages and to provide other emergency supplies. Several British organisations have already made their own pleas for donations to help ease food shortages and to provide other emergency supplies.
Food prices inside Burma have rocketed 50% overnight due to high demand.
Save the Children has called for £5m from supporters, while World Vision said it needed to raise £1.5m.Save the Children has called for £5m from supporters, while World Vision said it needed to raise £1.5m.
Oxfam has released £250,000 from its funds and put a team on standby to travel to the country.Oxfam has released £250,000 from its funds and put a team on standby to travel to the country.
The British Red Cross has also released £30,000 and said it had 17,000 volunteers from Burma on the ground handing out cooking and hygiene kits, drinking water and mosquito nets through its affiliate, the Myanmar Red Cross.The British Red Cross has also released £30,000 and said it had 17,000 volunteers from Burma on the ground handing out cooking and hygiene kits, drinking water and mosquito nets through its affiliate, the Myanmar Red Cross.
The DEC, an umbrella organisation which launches and coordinates responses to major disasters overseas, is expected to make an announcement on an appeal for Burma later. The DEC is an umbrella organisation of 13 humanitarian aid charities, including Save the Children, Oxfam and the British Red Cross.
It launches and coordinates responses to major disasters overseas, and is expected to make an announcement on an appeal for Burma later.
Access problemsAccess problems
Almost all of the deaths from the Burma cyclone occurred in the country's Irrawaddy river delta region, where more people were killed by the tidal wave than the cyclone itself.Almost all of the deaths from the Burma cyclone occurred in the country's Irrawaddy river delta region, where more people were killed by the tidal wave than the cyclone itself.
Many of the coastal areas in the area remain cut off due to extensive flooding and road damage.Many of the coastal areas in the area remain cut off due to extensive flooding and road damage.
The cyclone also caused massive damage in Burma's former capital, Rangoon, felling trees and cutting power supplies.The cyclone also caused massive damage in Burma's former capital, Rangoon, felling trees and cutting power supplies.
Aid agencies are now pushing for immediate access to the affected areas, but correspondents say the military-ruled country, isolated and impoverished, has long been wary of the international community and there are doubts over how much access the government will allow workers.Aid agencies are now pushing for immediate access to the affected areas, but correspondents say the military-ruled country, isolated and impoverished, has long been wary of the international community and there are doubts over how much access the government will allow workers.