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Sporadic aid trickles into Burma Sporadic aid trickles into Burma
(about 8 hours 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 have been arriving sporadically, and the UN fears only a quarter of survivors have received aid.
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 three plane-loads were flown in on Saturday and appear to have been released for 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 controlGovernment 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's latest deliveries included high-energy biscuits, shelter materials, and communications and office equipment. The agency said it hoped the authorities would soon release Friday's two deliveries.
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. Joe Lowry, of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said he hoped another seven flights would reach Burma, before Monday.
Since the cyclone struck on 3 May, aid agencies already in the country have started relief efforts with supplies they had available and by buying from local sources.
But they warn that supplies will run out unless more aid is allowed into the country.
Christian Aid's Burma expert Ray Hasan said: "Partners are telling that there are outbreaks of disease already. There is no time to lose."
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. Richard Horsey, a spokesman for UN humanitarian operations said an international presence was needed in Burma to look at the logistics of getting boats, helicopters and trucks into the worst-affected delta area.
"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. "That's a critical bottleneck that must be overcome at this point," he told the Associated Press, speaking from Bangkok.
"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."
DiseaseDisease
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. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said thousands of people were homeless and are living in pitiable conditions.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsBurmese anger growsEXTENT 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. Hospitals, schools and other large buildings are crammed with the displaced.
"Supplies will run out unless more aid is allowed into the country," said Ray Hasan, the charity's Burma expert. Federation workers said they had seen evidence that some aid, such as newly-installed or repaired pumps were working, but the water around and near these buildings was black-brown and foul-smelling.
"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 doubtsPoll 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 juntaIn pictures: Burma votesBurmese voice anger on poll day Why vote trumps storm for juntaIn 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.
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