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Fears rise over Burma aid delays Fears rise over Burma aid delays
(20 minutes later)
Burma's leaders are facing growing international concern over their reluctance to accept foreign aid, days after the devastating cyclone.Burma's leaders are facing growing international concern over their reluctance to accept foreign aid, days after the devastating cyclone.
The UN says planes carrying vital food supplies cannot enter because they still do not have permission to land. The UN says its planes carrying vital food supplies cannot enter because they still do not have permission to land.
A US diplomat described conditions in storm-hit regions as "horrendous" and warned that the death toll could top 100,000 as conditions worsen.A US diplomat described conditions in storm-hit regions as "horrendous" and warned that the death toll could top 100,000 as conditions worsen.
Teams reaching some of the worst-hit areas have described harrowing scenes.Teams reaching some of the worst-hit areas have described harrowing scenes.
Some aid workers reported bodies rotting in the fields and desperate survivors fighting over food and water.Some aid workers reported bodies rotting in the fields and desperate survivors fighting over food and water.
It's not a matter of politics, it's a matter of a humanitarian crisis US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Keeping a lid on chaosAid worker's diary href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7388793.stm"> It's not a matter of politics, it's a matter of a humanitarian crisis US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Keeping a lid on chaosAid worker's diary href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7387715.stm">Will Burma's junta accept aid? class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7388793.stm">Your pictures: Burma cyclone
Buildings have been swept away, leaving up to a million people homeless, and swathes of land are under water, sparking fears of disease.Buildings have been swept away, leaving up to a million people homeless, and swathes of land are under water, sparking fears of disease.
Burmese troops and aid agencies already on the ground are pushing into the affected areas.Burmese troops and aid agencies already on the ground are pushing into the affected areas.
But, aid officials say, the task is enormous and many people have not received any help.But, aid officials say, the task is enormous and many people have not received any help.
'Humanitarian crisis''Humanitarian crisis'
Experts say that a massive aid operation is needed to help those affected by Cyclone Nargis, which smashed into the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region on Saturday.Experts say that a massive aid operation is needed to help those affected by Cyclone Nargis, which smashed into the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region on Saturday.
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 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://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4736&edition=1">Send us your comments 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 Send us your comments
But the Burmese government has spurned some offers of aid, such as one from the US to deploy navy ships, and many foreign aid workers are being held in a queue for visas.But the Burmese government has spurned some offers of aid, such as one from the US to deploy navy ships, and many foreign aid workers are being held in a queue for visas.
The government has approved some UN air shipments, but these are still being delayed.The government has approved some UN air shipments, but these are still being delayed.
A Bangkok-based UN official said that World Food Programme planes loaded with 40 tons of high-energy biscuits were stuck in Dhaka and Dubai because they had not yet received permission to land in Burma.A Bangkok-based UN official said that World Food Programme planes loaded with 40 tons of high-energy biscuits were stuck in Dhaka and Dubai because they had not yet received permission to land in Burma.
A four-man UN assessment team is due on the ground in Burma later on Thursday.A four-man UN assessment team is due on the ground in Burma later on Thursday.
Late on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Burma had to let the international community help.Late on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Burma had to let the international community help.
"It should be a simple matter. It's not a matter of politics. It's a matter of a humanitarian crisis," she said."It should be a simple matter. It's not a matter of politics. It's a matter of a humanitarian crisis," she said.
'Mistrustful''Mistrustful'
On Wednesday, the top US diplomat in Burma said that the number of deaths could be much higher than reported.On Wednesday, the top US diplomat in Burma said that the number of deaths could be much higher than reported.
Before and after: extent of flooding clear in Nasa satellite imagesEnlarge ImageBefore and after: extent of flooding clear in Nasa satellite imagesEnlarge Image
Burmese state media said on Thursday that 22,980 people had been confirmed dead and another 42,119 were missing.Burmese state media said on Thursday that 22,980 people had been confirmed dead and another 42,119 were missing.
But Shari Villarosa, the charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Burma - also known as Myanmar - said the death toll could reach or exceed 100,000, based on information from a non-governmental organisation that she would not name.But Shari Villarosa, the charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Burma - also known as Myanmar - said the death toll could reach or exceed 100,000, based on information from a non-governmental organisation that she would not name.
Survivors in one district, Labutta, described the sea surge brought by Saturday's storm.Survivors in one district, Labutta, described the sea surge brought by Saturday's storm.
"The waves were so strong, they ripped off all my clothes. I was left naked hanging in a tree," one teenager told the French news agency AFP."The waves were so strong, they ripped off all my clothes. I was left naked hanging in a tree," one teenager told the French news agency AFP.
"The storm came into our village, and a giant wave washed in, dragging everything into the sea," said another man in his 20s."The storm came into our village, and a giant wave washed in, dragging everything into the sea," said another man in his 20s.
"Houses collapsed, buildings collapsed, and people were swept away. I only survived by hanging on to a big tree," he told the agency."Houses collapsed, buildings collapsed, and people were swept away. I only survived by hanging on to a big tree," he told the agency.
The BBC's Paul Danahar, in southern Burma, says that those still alive are surrounded by the dead - and they are without food and shelter.The BBC's Paul Danahar, in southern Burma, says that those still alive are surrounded by the dead - and they are without food and shelter.
he adds that while some aid is trickling into the country, much, much more is lying idle on its borders.he adds that while some aid is trickling into the country, much, much more is lying idle on its borders.
This weekend there is to be a referendum on a new constitution. The international community has already condemned it as a sham.This weekend there is to be a referendum on a new constitution. The international community has already condemned it as a sham.
The generals may be worried that letting in foreigners ahead of the that poll could stoke more criticism of their political reforms, our correspondent says.The generals may be worried that letting in foreigners ahead of the that poll could stoke more criticism of their political reforms, our correspondent says.


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