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Confusion over US aid for Burma | |
(20 minutes later) | |
The US says it has not yet been given permission to fly aid into cyclone-hit Burma despite earlier reports. | |
The US ambassador to Thailand said it was unclear whether there was a U-turn by Burma or a miscommunication. | |
There has been growing international concern over Burma's reluctance to accept help for up to one million people made homeless by Cyclone Nargis. | |
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. |
Nargis smashed into the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region on Saturday. | |
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. | 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. | 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. | Normally after a natural disaster, he says, roads are choked with relief effort but these into the Irrawaddy delta are empty. |
Delays | Delays |
On the American aid flights, US Ambassador to Thailand Eric John told a news conference: "This morning, we and our Thai allies thought we had a decision from the Burmese leadership to let the C-130 in. As of now, we don't have that decision. | |
"I don't know whether they rescinded the decision or if there was a miscommunication." | |
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 appeal | 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 appeal |
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says Burma's generals have always been intensely suspicious of outside interference and the US has all but called for regime change in Burma. | |
If countries were allowed to begin aid flights, our correspondent says, Burma could experience the biggest international presence in its recent history. | |
The UN, meanwhile, has said its four-member disaster assessment and co-ordination team has now been given visas for Burma. | |
However, it 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 | 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". |
Death toll | Death toll |
Burmese troops are pushing into the affected areas but Jonathan Head says their resources are inadequate to deal with a disaster of this magnitude. | Burmese troops are pushing into the affected areas but Jonathan Head says their resources are inadequate to deal with a disaster of this magnitude. |
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The devastation caused by the cyclone | The devastation caused by the cyclone |
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. |
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. |
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. |