This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7394586.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ministers criticise Burma action Ministers criticise Burma action
(30 minutes later)
Ministers have condemned Burma's military rulers for resisting offers of international humanitarian aid after last weekend's devastating cyclone. Ministers have condemned Burma's military rulers for their slow response to offers of international humanitarian aid since last weekend's 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 said he had been "horrified" by events of the past week.
The junta remains reluctant to allow many foreign aid workers into Burma.The junta remains reluctant to allow many foreign aid workers into Burma.
'Thousands at risk'
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.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 hundreds of thousands of survivors were at risk.Mr Miliband told the BBC hundreds of thousands of survivors were at risk.
[Dropping aid] would be an important step to show that the international community is simply not going to stand idly by Nick Clegg Lib Dem leader
"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."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 also said humanitarian assistance experts agreed that air-dropping aid was a "last resort".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. But Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the time was "now drawing very close" to "taking the most drastic step of all" of "dropping aid directly into Burma, irrespective of the wishes of the Burmese regime".
Although more aid has started to reach the cyclone-stricken areas, Mr Alexander told the BBC "not nearly enough" was getting through. "This of course, in practical terms, is not an ideal solution because you are dropping aid from the air - it doesn't guarantee that the people who need it get it.
"But I think it would be an important step to show that the international community is simply not going to stand idly by."
Mr Alexander earlier said that although more aid had started to reach the cyclone-stricken areas, "not nearly enough" was getting through.
International communityInternational community
Mr Alexander said he had spoken to the British ambassador in the Burmese capital Rangoon. He 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."
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.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. 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.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband accuses military junta of 'malign neglect'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.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.
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.
Burmese voice anger on poll day Why vote trumps storm for juntaIn pictures: Burma votes
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.