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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 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/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 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 Image | Before 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. |
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. |