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Ministers criticise Burma action Ministers criticise Burma action
(about 1 hour later)
Ministers have condemned Burma's military rulers for resisting offers of international humanitarian aid after last week's devastating cyclone. Ministers have condemned Burma's military rulers for resisting offers of international humanitarian aid after last weekend's devastating cyclone.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband accused the military junta of "malign neglect" and said he would be "amazed" if the death toll was under 100,000.Foreign Secretary David Miliband accused the military junta of "malign neglect" and said he would be "amazed" if the death toll was under 100,000.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander told the BBC he was "horrified" by the slow response.International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander told the BBC he was "horrified" by the slow response.
The junta remain reluctant to allow many foreign aid workers into Burma. The junta remains reluctant to allow many foreign aid workers into Burma.
The UN estimates the death toll in the country could be 100,000 or more. The UN estimates the death toll in the country could be 100,000 or more. Burma's state media says 28,458 died and 33,416 are missing.
Mr Miliband told the BBC that action was urgently needed to prevent a human catastrophe. Mr Miliband told the BBC hundreds of thousands of survivors were at risk.
It came after Mr Alexander spoke out about the Burmese military junta and its response to the devastating cyclone. "A national disaster is turning into a humanitarian catastrophe of genuine epic proportions, in significant part because of what I would describe as the malign neglect of the regime," he said.
He told the BBC's Andrew Marr some aid was getting through but "not nearly enough". He also said humanitarian assistance experts agreed that air-dropping aid was a "last resort".
His comments came after Mr Alexander spoke out about the Burmese government's response to the devastating cyclone.
Although more aid has started to reach the cyclone-stricken areas, Mr Alexander told the BBC "not nearly enough" was getting through.
International communityInternational community
Mr Alexander said he had spoken to the British ambassador in the Burmese capital Rangoon just minutes before appearing on the BBC's Sunday AM show. Mr Alexander said he had spoken to the British ambassador in the Burmese capital Rangoon.
"He painted a very complex and mixed picture as to what's actually happening," he said."He painted a very complex and mixed picture as to what's actually happening," he said.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsBurma's survivors 'facing crisis'EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsBurma's survivors 'facing crisis'
"There has been a significant concern expressed right across the international community about the approach adopted by the regime but there are more flights landing in Rangoon.""There has been a significant concern expressed right across the international community about the approach adopted by the regime but there are more flights landing in Rangoon."
He added: "There is some evidence that there is more latitude in terms of the NGOs being able to deliver the aid within country, but frankly it's not nearly enough. We've been horrified by what we've seen in the last week."He added: "There is some evidence that there is more latitude in terms of the NGOs being able to deliver the aid within country, but frankly it's not nearly enough. We've been horrified by what we've seen in the last week."
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. Amid signs the ruling generals are easing restrictions on foreign access, the UN's World Food Programme was allowed to distribute 38 tonnes of aid, which had been held up at Rangoon airport.
Aid workers also say they are now being allowed into the country more freely - but most have been kept waiting at the Thai border.
'Public catastrophe''Public catastrophe'
Cyclone Nargis struck Burma eight days ago and the UN estimates only a quarter of survivors have received any aid so far.Cyclone Nargis struck Burma eight days ago and the UN estimates only a quarter of survivors have received any aid so far.
Oxfam is warning the death toll could rise to 1.5 million unless survivors receive clean water and sanitation. Burma's state media says 23,335 died. Foreign Secretary David Miliband accuses military junta of 'malign neglect'
Oxfam is warning the death toll could rise to 1.5 million unless survivors receive clean water and sanitation.
"We are afraid there is a real risk of a massive public catastrophe waiting to happen," said Sarah Ireland, UK-based Oxfam's East Asia director."We are afraid there is a real risk of a massive public catastrophe waiting to happen," said Sarah Ireland, UK-based Oxfam's East Asia director.
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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.
Deliveries of aid to the country have been arriving sporadically, with correspondents saying some aid is reaching survivors, but not nearly enough.Deliveries of aid to the country have been arriving sporadically, with correspondents saying some aid is reaching survivors, but not nearly enough.
In parliament on Thursday, Mr Alexander outlined the UK's aid package, including a pledge of as much as £5m.In parliament on Thursday, Mr Alexander outlined the UK's aid package, including a pledge of as much as £5m.
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He said representations had been made to the Burmese government to allow access for aid and that the UK government was working closely with aid agencies on the ground.He said representations had been made to the Burmese government to allow access for aid and that the UK government was working closely with aid agencies on the ground.
He added: "We have readied stockpiles of emergency supplies such as tents, water containers and blankets."He added: "We have readied stockpiles of emergency supplies such as tents, water containers and blankets."
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which is made up of a group of British aid agencies and charities, has launched an appeal for help.The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which is made up of a group of British aid agencies and charities, has launched an appeal for help.
The DEC, whose members include British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children, said the money would be spent on immediate relief efforts and also long-term reconstruction projects.The DEC, whose members include British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children, said the money would be spent on immediate relief efforts and also long-term reconstruction projects.