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Burma warned over cyclone delays Burma warned over cyclone delays
(about 2 hours later)
The UN's humanitarian chief has urged Burma to reconsider its attitude towards allowing aid teams into the country to help cyclone victims. The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has warned of dire consequences if foreign aid workers continue to be denied access to Burma.
Announcing a $187m (£96m) flash appeal, John Holmes said it was time to act fast or risk more lives being lost. Speaking before the UN launched its $187m (£96m) appeal to help those hit by the cyclone, he said early action was needed to prevent catastrophe.
Burma's envoy to the UN thanked the international community for their solidarity and generosity, saying it would accept aid from any quarter. Burma has thanked the international community for their generosity and says it will accept aid from any quarter.
Burma says 22,980 people died, but the UN fears the toll could reach 100,000.Burma says 22,980 people died, but the UN fears the toll could reach 100,000.
The UN believes as many as 1.5 million people could have been affected by Cyclone Nargis, which struck on 3 May, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The country's ruling generals have been criticised for their handling of the crisis that has left towns flattened, infrastructure destroyed and 5,000 sq km (1,930 sq miles) of farmland in the Irrawaddy delta under water and littered with dead bodies.
If we do not act now and do not act fast, more lives will be lost John HolmesUN Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Burmese anger growsWorld wrestles with aid issueWhy vote trumps storm for junta The sheer survival of the affected people is at stake Ban Ki-moonUN Secretary General Burmese anger growsWorld wrestles with aid issueWhy vote trumps storm for junta
About 5,000 square kilometres (1,930 square miles) of farmland in the Irrawaddy delta are now under water, littered with thousands of corpses. There is also widespread concern that the junta is going ahead with Saturday's national referendum on a new constitution, except in only the worst-affected areas.
Aid agencies say the lack of access to clean drinking water and outbreaks of communicable diseases such as dengue and malaria are a major concern. The government says the referendum will pave the way for democratic elections in 2010, while the opposition says it is intended to tighten the generals' rule.
The country's ruling generals have faced mounting criticism over their handling of the crisis, their reluctance to allow international aid teams into the country and their insistence on distributing aid themselves. There are reports that a senior general over-rode requests from his officers to divert army resources to help the cyclone victims - in order to maintain security for the poll.
The World Food Programme is in talks with the government after tonnes of aid it flew into Burma was impounded by the military authorities, who wanted to control its distribution. No contact
The UN agency had threatened to suspend relief flights, but later said they would resume on Saturday, while negotiations continue. Aid agencies already in Burma say they have been doing what they can, but are frustrated by the government's reluctance to allow international aid teams into the country and its insistence on distributing aid itself.
Delay considered EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7389848.stm">See map and satellite images class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4736">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7389911.stm">Rangoon's hardship
The Burmese UN envoy, Ambassador Kyaw Tint Swe, said the first US relief flight was expected to arrive on Monday. The UN believes as many as 1.5 million people could have been affected by Cyclone Nargis, which struck on 3 May, and many say Burma does not have the capacity to respond adequately on its own.
Other aid has been pouring in from Burma's allies, such as China and Thailand, and Burma-based aid agency workers have been doing what they can. Two BBC correspondents who have travelled to the Irrawaddy delta say tens of thousands of bodies are strewn across the landscape, with houses toppled and trees uprooted.
They say diseases like dysentery are already starting to take hold, and although some aid has arrived there is still no relief effort to match the size of the catastrophe.
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Listen to a BBC Correspondent and Tim Costello from World Vision on Radio 4's The World At One.Listen to a BBC Correspondent and Tim Costello from World Vision on Radio 4's The World At One.
But aid experts say Burma does not have the capacity to respond to the emergency effectively. Mr Ban warned that lives of the survivors could be at risk if the military leaders refused international aid.
Announcing the UN appeal, Mr Holmes said it was vital that any obstacles that had hindered aid deliveries until now be resolved soon. "If early action is not taken and relief measures put in place, the medium-term effect of this tragedy could be truly catastrophic," he said.
"If we do not act now and do not act fast, more lives will be lost," he said. "The sheer survival of the affected people is at stake."
Mr Ban says he has not been able to get through to the country's leaders to speak to them directly.
Obstacles
The World Food Programme says it is in talks with the government after tonnes of aid it flew into Burma was impounded by the military authorities who wanted to control its distribution.
AID PLEDGES UK $10mUN $10mJapan $10mUS $3mFrance $3mAustralia $2.8m In pictures: Cyclone survivorsAID PLEDGES UK $10mUN $10mJapan $10mUS $3mFrance $3mAustralia $2.8m In pictures: Cyclone survivors
Mr Holmes said he had considered postponing the appeal launch because of the "extra difficulties facing UN aid shipments and access for humanitarian staff". The UN agency threatened to suspend relief flights, but later said they would resume on Saturday, while negotiations continued.
But he said the priority had to be to reach "people in such desperate need on the ground". The Burmese UN envoy, Ambassador Kyaw Tint Swe, said the first US relief flight was expected to arrive on Monday.
The appeal, which will be reviewed as a clearer picture of the extent of the devastation is known, will be used to provide food, logistics, temporary shelters and health needs. Other aid has been pouring in from Burma's allies, such as China and Thailand, and Burma-based aid agency workers have been distributing food and emergency aid where possible.
Polls to open
An aid worker in Burma, Tim Costello, chief executive of World Vision Australia, warned of an epidemic of "apocalyptic proportions" if aid did not get through.An aid worker in Burma, Tim Costello, chief executive of World Vision Australia, warned of an epidemic of "apocalyptic proportions" if aid did not get through.
Mr Costello said the Burmese government did not have the capacity to run the relief effort required, adding that the impact of Cyclone Nargis could be worse than the effect of the Asian tsunami on Sri Lanka and Indonesia.Mr Costello said the Burmese government did not have the capacity to run the relief effort required, adding that the impact of Cyclone Nargis could be worse than the effect of the Asian tsunami on Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
He urged donors to continue giving, saying the aid teams already in the country were helping make a difference.He urged donors to continue giving, saying the aid teams already in the country were helping make a difference.
As negotiations and relief efforts continue, Burma is also preparing for a national referendum on a new constitution to be held on Saturday.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsRangoon's hardship
The vote has been put off for two weeks in the worst-hit areas.
The government says the referendum will pave the way for democratic elections in 2010, while the opposition says it is intended to tighten the generals' rule.
The BBC's Andrew Harding says it is a gamble and now there is a chance that public anger could translate into big "No" vote, particularly given the military handling of the storm's aftermath.
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.
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