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| Ministers attack Burma response | Ministers attack Burma response |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Ministers have condemned Burma's military rulers for their slow response to offers of international humanitarian aid since last weekend's 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 said he had been "horrified" by events of the past week. | International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said he had been "horrified" by events of the past week. |
| But there are signs increased amounts of aid are starting to get through. | But there are signs increased amounts of aid are starting to get through. |
| Seven more Red Cross flights carrying humanitarian aid are due to arrive in Burma on Monday, the UK's Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said. | |
| This will take the number of Red Cross aid flights that have arrived in the capital, Rangoon, to 10. | |
| 'Thousands at risk' | '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. [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 Cyclone appeal nets £5m in days Burma: How you can help | 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 Cyclone appeal nets £5m in days Burma: How you can help |
| "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". |
| 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". | 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". |
| "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. | "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." | "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. | Mr Alexander earlier said that although more aid had started to reach the cyclone-stricken areas, "not nearly enough" was getting through. |
| International community | International community |
| He said he had spoken to the British ambassador in Rangoon. | |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband accuses military junta of 'malign neglect' | |
| "He painted a very complex and mixed picture as to what's actually happening," he said. | |
| "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 [non-governmental organisations] being able to deliver the aid within the 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 [non-governmental organisations] being able to deliver the aid within the 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. |
| EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7389848.stm">See map and satellite images class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4736">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7394410.stm">Burma eases restrictions on aid | |
| 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. |
| Meanwhile, the UK's DEC, which comprises a number of British aid agencies and charities, said on Saturday its public appeal had raised almost £5m so far. | |
| The DEC, which includes the 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, which includes the 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. |