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Sporadic aid trickles into Burma | Sporadic aid trickles into Burma |
(20 minutes later) | |
Deliveries of aid to Burma to help cyclone victims are arriving sporadically, as aid agencies continue to face obstacles set by the regime. | Deliveries of aid to Burma to help cyclone victims are arriving sporadically, as aid agencies continue to face obstacles set by the regime. |
The UN's World Food Programme says two more plane-loads have been impounded by the authorities, who say they welcome aid but want to control distribution. | The UN's World Food Programme says two more plane-loads have been impounded by the authorities, who say they welcome aid but want to control distribution. |
Correspondents in the country say aid is reaching survivors, but not enough. | Correspondents in the country say aid is reaching survivors, but not enough. |
Burma's leaders are under fire for holding a referendum while 1.5 million people are affected by the disaster. | Burma's leaders are under fire for holding a referendum while 1.5 million people are affected by the disaster. |
The UN, which has launched a $187m (£96m) appeal for aid, says those in the worst-affected areas urgently need food, shelter and medical aid. | The UN, which has launched a $187m (£96m) appeal for aid, says those in the worst-affected areas urgently need food, shelter and medical aid. |
Burma's state media says 23,335 died, but the UN fears the toll could be about 100,000. | Burma's state media says 23,335 died, but the UN fears the toll could be about 100,000. |
Government control | Government control |
The WFP says it is in talks with the government over the plane-loads of high-energy biscuits, shelter materials, and communications and office equipment which have been held by the authorities. | The WFP says it is in talks with the government over the plane-loads of high-energy biscuits, shelter materials, and communications and office equipment which have been held by the authorities. |
Earlier on Saturday, a convoy from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, crossed into Burma from Thailand with 22 tonnes of tents and other humanitarian supplies. | Earlier on Saturday, a convoy from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, crossed into Burma from Thailand with 22 tonnes of tents and other humanitarian supplies. |
After the cyclone struck on 3 May, aid agencies already in the country started relief efforts with supplies they had available. | After the cyclone struck on 3 May, aid agencies already in the country started relief efforts with supplies they had available. |
Aid has been flown in from Burma's neighbours, such as China and Thailand, and the first US relief flight is expected to arrive on Monday. | Aid has been flown in from Burma's neighbours, such as China and Thailand, and the first US relief flight is expected to arrive on Monday. |
But aid agencies say the Burmese government does not have the capacity to handle the scale of the relief efforts needed and must allow more foreign aid and disaster experts into the country. | But aid agencies say the Burmese government does not have the capacity to handle the scale of the relief efforts needed and must allow more foreign aid and disaster experts into the country. |
One aid worker said the agencies are having to work under the strict parameters set by the government. | One aid worker said the agencies are having to work under the strict parameters set by the government. |
"The government wants total control of the situation although they can't provide much and they have no experience in relief efforts," he told the Associated Press, but did not want to be named. | "The government wants total control of the situation although they can't provide much and they have no experience in relief efforts," he told the Associated Press, but did not want to be named. |
"We have to report to them every step of the way, every decision we make. Their eyes are everywhere, monitoring what we do, who we talk to, what we bring in and how much." | "We have to report to them every step of the way, every decision we make. Their eyes are everywhere, monitoring what we do, who we talk to, what we bring in and how much." |
Disease | Disease |
Christian Aid says it is distributing water purification tablets, blankets and medicines to 100,000 people but supplies are being sourced from within Burma, and this will become more difficult as time goes by. | Christian Aid says it is distributing water purification tablets, blankets and medicines to 100,000 people but supplies are being sourced from within Burma, and this will become more difficult as time goes by. |
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsBurmese anger grows | EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsBurmese anger grows |
Its says the scale of this disaster means that the response needs to be on a massive scale which can only happen if the Burmese government allows international aid agencies into the country. | Its says the scale of this disaster means that the response needs to be on a massive scale which can only happen if the Burmese government allows international aid agencies into the country. |
"Supplies will run out unless more aid is allowed into the country," said Ray Hasan, the charity's Burma expert. | "Supplies will run out unless more aid is allowed into the country," said Ray Hasan, the charity's Burma expert. |
"Partners are telling that there are outbreaks of disease already. There is no time to lose." | "Partners are telling that there are outbreaks of disease already. There is no time to lose." |
Christian Aid says people are asking for rice seeds, as their supplies have been damaged. Unless people plant the seeds in the next month, they will have no supplies of rice until May 2009. | Christian Aid says people are asking for rice seeds, as their supplies have been damaged. Unless people plant the seeds in the next month, they will have no supplies of rice until May 2009. |
Poll doubts | Poll doubts |
Burma's generals have been criticised for pressing ahead with a referendum on a national constitution in the midst of the cyclone chaos. | Burma's generals have been criticised for pressing ahead with a referendum on a national constitution in the midst of the cyclone chaos. |
Burmese voice anger on poll day Why vote trumps storm for junta href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7393956.stm">In pictures: Burma votes | |
Voting took place in two-thirds of the country on Saturday, but was postponed for two weeks in the worst-hit areas - including the Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon, the main city. | Voting took place in two-thirds of the country on Saturday, but was postponed for two weeks in the worst-hit areas - including the Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon, the main city. |
The country's ruling generals say the vote will pave the way for democratic elections in 2010, while the opposition says it is intended to entrench military rule. | The country's ruling generals say the vote will pave the way for democratic elections in 2010, while the opposition says it is intended to entrench military rule. |
Correspondents say many people in Burma are cynical about the vote and had felt compelled to vote "yes" because of the presence of soldiers around polling stations. | Correspondents say many people in Burma are cynical about the vote and had felt compelled to vote "yes" because of the presence of soldiers around polling stations. |
Groups involved in last year's pro-democracy protests accused the junta of concentrating on a "sham constitutional referendum" instead of "putting all resources toward saving the lives" of cyclone victims. | Groups involved in last year's pro-democracy protests accused the junta of concentrating on a "sham constitutional referendum" instead of "putting all resources toward saving the lives" of cyclone victims. |
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. |