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/7387331.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Burma authorises UN aid delivery Aid arriving in cyclone-hit Burma
(about 1 hour later)
Burma's secretive military leaders have approved a UN aid flight to help victims of the devastating cyclone. Foreign aid is beginning to arrive in Burma, devastated by a cyclone that left more than 22,000 dead.
The flight, carrying 25 tonnes of aid, is due to leave Italy, while help from Burma's neighbours and allies is already getting through. The country's secretive ruling generals have given a UN aid plane permission to land, while neighbouring India and Thailand have also sent aid flights.
But concern remains that delaying access to outside aid workers is harming relief efforts. And a Chinese plane carrying 60 tonnes of aid has landed in the main city Rangoon, Chinese state media report.
Saturday's cyclone left more than 22,000 people dead, and tens of thousands missing. But complaints remain that the generals are hampering relief efforts by denying access to foreign aid workers.
The BBC's Paul Danahar, in Burma, says this is the biggest challenge to the generals since the height of the pro-democracy movement in 1989. A vast swathe of the southern Irrawaddy delta, that bore the full force of the cyclone, remains under water.
Richard Horsey, a spokesman for the UN's disaster relief agency OCHA said the government had now named Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint to oversee visa applications for aid agencies. Many roads are still blocked, and bedraggled survivors are emerging from this catastrophic scene, hungry and thirsty and vulnerable to disease, reports from the region say.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Footage of the aid operation in Burma from state-run TVFootage of the aid operation in Burma from state-run TV
The UN's World Food Programme has begun to distribute food in and around Burma's main city, Rangoon. Thailand has shipped relief supplies and India has sent two naval vessels. The BBC's Paul Danahar, in Burma, says this is the biggest challenge to the generals since the height of the pro-democracy movement in 1989.
The official Chinese Xinhua news agency says 66 tonnes of aid from China has arrived in Yangon - Burma's largest city and one of those badly hit by Saturday's cyclone. Visa call
But while the US, UK and EU have all pledged money towards relief efforts, it has been hard for them to get aid and teams in. Under pressure to open the doors to foreign aid operations, they approved the UN aid flight - carrying 25 tonnes of aid - which is due to leave Italy.
As well as the Chinese plane, the UN's World Food Programme has begun to distribute food in and around Rangoon.
But so far the generals have resisted calls to waive visa requirements from aid workers, instead appointing Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint to oversee visa applications.
Before and after: extent of flooding clear in Nasa satellite imagesEnlarge ImageBefore and after: extent of flooding clear in Nasa satellite imagesEnlarge Image
International pressure on the West-wary generals is mounting, with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US President George W Bush appealing to the generals. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US President George W Bush have appealed to the generals.
"Forget politics," said Mr Rudd. "Forget the military dictatorship. Let's just get aid and assistance through to people who are suffering and dying as we speak, through a lack of support on the ground". "Forget politics," said Mr Rudd. "Forget the military dictatorship. Let's just get aid and assistance through to people who are suffering and dying as we speak, through a lack of support on the ground."
President Bush, who has backed substantial sanctions against Burma's leaders, offered the support of US Navy ships in the region. President Bush, who has in the past backed substantial sanctions against Burma's leaders over their suppression of the country's pro-democracy movement, offered the support of US Navy ships in the region.
Scot Marciel, the newly-appointed US ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), said he hoped Burma's leaders "would accept assistance from the United States.Scot Marciel, the newly-appointed US ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), said he hoped Burma's leaders "would accept assistance from the United States.
"It is meant sincerely from the American people," he said. "If not, we would want to work with the UN and other organisations who are able to get inside the country.""It is meant sincerely from the American people," he said. "If not, we would want to work with the UN and other organisations who are able to get inside the country."
HomelessHomeless
State media reported on Tuesday that 22,464 people had now been confirmed dead and another 41,054 people were missing as a result of Cyclone Nargis, which saw swathes of Burma hit by high winds and a storm surge. Up to a million people are thought to have been left homeless. Burmese state media reported on Tuesday that 22,464 people had now been confirmed dead and another 41,054 people were missing as a result of Cyclone Nargis, which saw swathes of Burma hit by high winds and a storm surge. Up to a million people are thought to have been left homeless.
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 cycloneSend us your commentsEXTENT 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 cycloneSend us your comments
As rescue teams reach areas that had been cut off, those figures are expected to rise.As rescue teams reach areas that had been cut off, those figures are expected to rise.
The British ambassador to Burma, Mark Canning, says that as many as 50,000 could have been killed.The British ambassador to Burma, Mark Canning, says that as many as 50,000 could have been killed.
"The scale of the disaster is unfolding by the hour," he told the BBC. "It's really difficult to get a firm fix on this because the majority of the damage has taken place in areas that are very, very difficult to access.""The scale of the disaster is unfolding by the hour," he told the BBC. "It's really difficult to get a firm fix on this because the majority of the damage has taken place in areas that are very, very difficult to access."
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.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.
The government has relaxed its grip on the aid groups permanently based in Burma and those workers, local and international, are free to travel and relay assessment needs.
ReferendumReferendum
Many roads are still blocked by fallen trees and debris and there are reports of survivors trekking through floodwaters littered with bloated bodies of people and animals to reach help. Many roads are still blocked by fallen trees and debris, and there are reports of survivors trekking through floodwaters littered with bloated bodies of people and animals to reach help.
"The people have no emotion left on their faces. They have never seen anything like this before," one witness told French news agency AFP."The people have no emotion left on their faces. They have never seen anything like this before," one witness told French news agency AFP.
"They have lost their families, they have nowhere to stay, and they have nothing to eat. They don't know what the future will bring.""They have lost their families, they have nowhere to stay, and they have nothing to eat. They don't know what the future will bring."
Survivors face poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean water and up to a million are without shelter in the Irrawaddy delta region, according to Unicef. Survivors face poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean water.
Flooding could lead to outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever, while water-born diseases such as cholera and dysentery are also a threat. Flooding could lead to outbreaks of mosquito-borne malaria and dengue fever, while water-born diseases such as cholera and dysentery are also a threat.
A referendum on a proposed constitution backed by the military leaders, who have been in power since 1962, is still expected to go ahead on Saturday, but could be delayed in some of the worst-affected areas.A referendum on a proposed constitution backed by the military leaders, who have been in power since 1962, is still expected to go ahead on Saturday, but could be delayed in some of the worst-affected areas.
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