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/7389541.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Burma eases cyclone relief access Burma eases cyclone relief access
(30 minutes later)
Burma's military rulers have agreed to allow US military aircraft to fly in emergency aid for victims of Saturday's devastating cyclone.Burma's military rulers have agreed to allow US military aircraft to fly in emergency aid for victims of Saturday's devastating cyclone.
The move follows growing international concern over their reluctance to accept help for up to one million homeless.The move follows growing international concern over their reluctance to accept help for up to one million homeless.
The UN says its disaster evaluation team will also be allowed in, but its relief planes still await clearance.The UN says its disaster evaluation team will also be allowed in, but its relief planes still await clearance.
Burma has put the confirmed death toll at 22,980 but there are fears it could rise to 100,000.Burma has put the confirmed death toll at 22,980 but there are fears it could rise to 100,000.
Cyclone Nargis smashed into the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region on Saturday.Cyclone Nargis smashed into the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region on Saturday.
'Critically needed' The BBC's Paul Danahar, who is in southern Burma, says he has seen the terrible trail of destruction, with survivors scavenging to find some shelter.
They are living with thousands of corpses, polluting their environment, with the risk of disease taking hold getting worse by the day.
Normally after a natural disaster, he says, roads are choked with relief effort but these into the Irrawaddy delta are empty.
Delays
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says accepting US aid must be a bitter pill for Burma's generals to swallow.The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says accepting US aid must be a bitter pill for Burma's generals to swallow.
They have always been intensely suspicious of outside interference and the US has all but called for regime change in Burma, he says. But the catastrophic impact of last Saturday's cyclone has forced them to swallow their pride.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION UN map of worst-hit areas, based on satellite imagery [1.13MB] Most computers will open this PDF, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Keeping a lid on chaosAid worker's diaryUK agencies launch appealEXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION UN map of worst-hit areas, based on satellite imagery [1.13MB] Most computers will open this PDF, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Keeping a lid on chaosAid worker's diaryUK agencies launch appeal
They have always been intensely suspicious of outside interference and the US has all but called for regime change in Burma, he says. But the catastrophic impact of last Saturday's cyclone has forced them to swallow their pride.
US aircraft based in Thailand will now be allowed to fly in emergency supplies.US aircraft based in Thailand will now be allowed to fly in emergency supplies.
If other countries are allowed to do the same, our correspondent says, Burma could experience the biggest international presence in its recent history.If other countries are allowed to do the same, our correspondent says, Burma could experience the biggest international presence in its recent history.
The UN said its four-member disaster assessment and co-ordination team had now been given visas for Burma.The UN said its four-member disaster assessment and co-ordination team had now been given visas for Burma.
However, the UN says planes carrying its vital food supplies have still not been given permission to enter.However, the UN says planes carrying its vital food supplies have still not been given permission to enter.
Before and after: extent of flooding clear in Nasa satellite imagesEnlarge Image
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said three UN flights from Bangkok, Dhaka and Dubai with 40 tonnes of high energy biscuits were still awaiting clearance by Burmese authorities.The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said three UN flights from Bangkok, Dhaka and Dubai with 40 tonnes of high energy biscuits were still awaiting clearance by Burmese authorities.
WFP spokesman Paul Risley told AP news agency: "It is especially frustrating that critically needed food aid is being held up."WFP spokesman Paul Risley told AP news agency: "It is especially frustrating that critically needed food aid is being held up."
The regional Association of South-East Asian Nations had earlier urged the military regime to allow in aid flights "before it's too late".The regional Association of South-East Asian Nations had earlier urged the military regime to allow in aid flights "before it's too late".
Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said it was trying to communicate to the military regime the sense of urgency.Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said it was trying to communicate to the military regime the sense of urgency.
China, a close ally of Burma, has also urged it to work with the international community. Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang added that Beijing would raise its relief aid to $5.3m.China, a close ally of Burma, has also urged it to work with the international community. Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang added that Beijing would raise its relief aid to $5.3m.
UK aid agencies have launched an urgent joint appeal to raise funds for victims. The Disasters Emergency Committee said the need for aid was "immediate and vast".UK aid agencies have launched an urgent joint appeal to raise funds for victims. The Disasters Emergency Committee said the need for aid was "immediate and vast".
Swept away Death toll
Teams reaching some of the worst-hit areas have described harrowing scenes. Burmese troops are pushing into the affected areas but Jonathan Head says their resources are inadequate to deal with a disaster of this magnitude.
Some aid workers reported bodies rotting in the fields and desperate survivors fighting over food and water.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
The devastation caused by the cycloneThe devastation caused by the cyclone
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 are pushing into the affected areas but our correspondent says their resources are inadequate to deal with a disaster of this magnitude.
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.
Burmese state media says 22,980 people have been confirmed dead and another 42,119 are missing.Burmese state media says 22,980 people have been confirmed dead and another 42,119 are missing.
Before and after: extent of flooding clear in Nasa satellite imagesEnlarge Image
But Shari Villarosa, the charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Burma, 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, said the death toll could reach or exceed 100,000, based on information from a non-governmental organisation that she would not name.
A local military official, Tin Win, told AFP news agency 80,000 had died in the remote district of Labutta alone.A local military official, Tin Win, told AFP news agency 80,000 had died in the remote district of Labutta alone.
The BBC's Paul Danahar, who is 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 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.
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.
Name
 Name