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Britons in Burma 'not in contact' | Britons in Burma 'not in contact' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Seventeen Britons in Burma are still unaccounted for after a cyclone hit the country, the Foreign Office (FCO) said. | Seventeen Britons in Burma are still unaccounted for after a cyclone hit the country, the Foreign Office (FCO) said. |
The British nationals have not made contact, but the FCO said communication problems could be the reason, adding it had no reports of British casualties. | |
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander has outlined the UK's aid, including a pledge of up to £5m. | |
Burmese state media says the death toll has reached 22,980, and 42,119 missing, but there are warnings it could rise. | Burmese state media says the death toll has reached 22,980, and 42,119 missing, but there are warnings it could rise. |
'Immediate and vast' | |
There are about 200 British nationals living in Burma, and some 7,500 UK tourists are believed to visit the country every year. | There are about 200 British nationals living in Burma, and some 7,500 UK tourists are believed to visit the country every year. |
The British Embassy warned those living in the country that Saturday's cyclone was due to hit. | The British Embassy warned those living in the country that Saturday's cyclone was due to hit. |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "At the moment we are aware of 17 British nationals that friends and family have not been able to make contact with. | A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "At the moment we are aware of 17 British nationals that friends and family have not been able to make contact with. |
"But we have had no reports of British casualties and we have no reports that they are in danger." | "But we have had no reports of British casualties and we have no reports that they are in danger." |
We have readied stockpiles of emergency supplies Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary | |
One of the people reported missing on Wednesday - Tom Bourden, from Eastbourne, Sussex - has made e-mail contact with his family to say he is safe. | One of the people reported missing on Wednesday - Tom Bourden, from Eastbourne, Sussex - has made e-mail contact with his family to say he is safe. |
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Alexander gave further details of action the UK is taking to bring aid to Burma. | |
He said representations had been made to the Burmese government to allow access for aid, and that the UK government was working closely with aid agencies on the ground. | |
He added: "We have readied stockpiles of emergency supplies such as tents, water containers and blankets." | |
Mr Alexander also said emergency teams were ready and primed to leave for the country once they were issued with visas. | |
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which is made up of a group of British aid agencies and charities, has launched an appeal for help. | |
It said the scale of the disaster meant the need for aid was "immediate and vast". | It said the scale of the disaster meant the need for aid was "immediate and vast". |
DEC, whose members include British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children, said the money would be spent on immediate relief efforts and also long-term reconstruction projects. | DEC, whose members include British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children, said the money would be spent on immediate relief efforts and also long-term reconstruction projects. |