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| Burma eases restrictions on aid | Burma eases restrictions on aid |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Increased amounts of aid have started to reach cyclone-stricken Burma amid signs the government is easing restrictions on foreign access. | Increased amounts of aid have started to reach cyclone-stricken Burma amid signs the government is easing restrictions on foreign access. |
| The World Food Programme was allowed to distribute 38 tonnes of aid, which had been held up at Rangoon airport, while aid agencies also reported progress. | The World Food Programme was allowed to distribute 38 tonnes of aid, which had been held up at Rangoon airport, while aid agencies also reported progress. |
| But they warned the amount of aid getting though was nowhere near enough. | But they warned the amount of aid getting though was nowhere near enough. |
| A likely death toll of 100,000 could rise to 1.5m without provision of clean water and sanitation, Oxfam has said. | A likely death toll of 100,000 could rise to 1.5m without provision of clean water and sanitation, Oxfam has said. |
| Survivors are beginning to gather in makeshift camps around the edges of the disaster zone caused by Cyclone Nargis eight days ago. | Survivors are beginning to gather in makeshift camps around the edges of the disaster zone caused by Cyclone Nargis eight days ago. |
| The UN, which has launched a $187m (£96m) appeal for aid, says survivors in the worst-affected areas urgently need food, shelter and medical aid. | The UN, which has launched a $187m (£96m) appeal for aid, says survivors in the worst-affected areas urgently need food, shelter and medical aid. |
| 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. |
| Positive signs | Positive signs |
| The UN estimates that only a quarter of survivors have received any aid so far. | The UN estimates that only a quarter of survivors have received any aid so far. |
| But Andrew Kirkwood, the head of the UK aid organisation Save the Children in Burma, said there were some encouraging signs. | But Andrew Kirkwood, the head of the UK aid organisation Save the Children in Burma, said there were some encouraging signs. |
| EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsBurmese voice anger on poll day class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7394586.stm">Britain criticises Burma "It seems that material is being cleared through the airport much more easily," he told the BBC. | |
| "People have been able to get hold of at least a minimum supply of boats and trucks and fuel. I think that's really helped." | "People have been able to get hold of at least a minimum supply of boats and trucks and fuel. I think that's really helped." |
| The UN has also welcomed some "reasonably positive" signs from the Burmese authorities. | The UN has also welcomed some "reasonably positive" signs from the Burmese authorities. |
| But, says the BBC's Andrew Harding in Bangkok, many survivors are reported to be badly dehydrated, the children in particular sick with diarrhoea. | But, says the BBC's Andrew Harding in Bangkok, many survivors are reported to be badly dehydrated, the children in particular sick with diarrhoea. |
| After more than a week in the open, wounds are becoming infected and precious little aid is reaching most of these people, he says. | After more than a week in the open, wounds are becoming infected and precious little aid is reaching most of these people, he says. |
| 'Perfect storm' | 'Perfect storm' |
| The International Rescue Committee said that without a massive delivery of aid, Burma faced "unimaginable tragedy". | The International Rescue Committee said that without a massive delivery of aid, Burma faced "unimaginable tragedy". |
| "Unless there is a massive and fast infusion of aid, experts and supplies into the hardest-hit areas, there's going to be a tragedy on an unimaginable scale," said the US-based IRC's Greg Beck. | "Unless there is a massive and fast infusion of aid, experts and supplies into the hardest-hit areas, there's going to be a tragedy on an unimaginable scale," said the US-based IRC's Greg Beck. |
| Agencies warn the death toll could rise to 1.5m unless aid is delivered | Agencies warn the death toll could rise to 1.5m unless aid is delivered |
| Sarah Ireland, UK-based Oxfam's East Asia director, said the disaster was a "perfect storm" which bore "all the factors" for a "public health catastrophe". | Sarah Ireland, UK-based Oxfam's East Asia director, said the disaster was a "perfect storm" which bore "all the factors" for a "public health catastrophe". |
| On Saturday, a convoy from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, crossed into Burma from Thailand with 22 tonnes of tents and other humanitarian supplies. | On Saturday, a convoy from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, crossed into Burma from Thailand with 22 tonnes of tents and other humanitarian supplies. |
| Joe Lowry, of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said he hoped another seven flights would reach Burma before Monday. | 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. | 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. |
| Hospitals, schools and other large buildings are crammed with the displaced. | Hospitals, schools and other large buildings are crammed with the displaced. |
| 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. |
| Meanwhile, Burmese state television says turnout in Saturday's constitutional referendum was massive. | Meanwhile, Burmese state television says turnout in Saturday's constitutional referendum was massive. |
| The vote went ahead in most of the country, despite international calls for the government to direct all its attention towards relief work. | The vote went ahead in most of the country, despite international calls for the government to direct all its attention towards relief work. |
| The government says the referendum will pave the way for democracy, but the opposition says it was designed to cement the military stranglehold on power. | The government says the referendum will pave the way for democracy, but the opposition says it was designed to cement the military stranglehold on power. |
| 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. |