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First US aid plane lands in Burma First US aid plane lands in Burma
(about 2 hours later)
The first US aid flight to Burma following the devastating cyclone nine days ago has landed in Rangoon after a journey from an air base in Thailand. The first US aid flight to Burma following the devastating cyclone nine days ago has landed in Rangoon.
Permission for the aircraft to land in Rangoon was granted after a week of talks with Burma's military rulers. The US spent days negotiating with Burma's military government to gain permission for the aircraft to land.
Experts have warned that aid entering the country is vastly inadequate for the scale of the disaster. The junta has admitted that parts of the worst-affected region remain cut-off, but the generals are still refusing entry to foreign aid workers.
They say help has reached less than one third of those in need - and say many thousands of people are still missing. The official death toll has risen to almost 30,000 but aid agencies fear 1.5m could die if help does not come.
On Sunday, Burmese TV said the death toll had risen to 28,458, while 33,416 were missing. They say more than two-thirds of the cyclone victims are yet to be reached.
Aid agencies, however, estimate that 100,000 have died and warn that this figure could rise to 1.5 million without provision of clean water and sanitation. The agencies estimate that 100,000 have already perished.
A natural disaster is turning into a humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions David Miliband,UK foreign ministerA natural disaster is turning into a humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions David Miliband,UK foreign minister
Nine days after Cyclone Nargis struck Burma's low-lying Irrawaddy Delta region, survivors are beginning to gather in makeshift camps around the edges of the disaster zone.Nine days after Cyclone Nargis struck Burma's low-lying Irrawaddy Delta region, survivors are beginning to gather in makeshift camps around the edges of the disaster zone.
The UN, which has launched a $187m (£96m) appeal for aid, says people urgently need food, water, shelter and medical aid.The UN, which has launched a $187m (£96m) appeal for aid, says people urgently need food, water, shelter and medical aid.
Many are said to be dehydrated or suffering from injuries that have not been treated. Many victims are said to be dehydrated or suffering from injuries that have not been treated.
An Associated Press reporter, in the delta region, described how bodies continued to litter the land and the rivers.
"More than 50 bodies can be spotted in just three hours on the river. Many have turned white as they float entwined in mangrove trees, where they remain lodged," the AP report said.
A monk from the area said people had become used to living with the bodies.
"The first few we saw, we were all very shocked. After a while, there were just too many."
Fresh video footage has emerged that shows the extent of the suffering, including the corpses of children lined up in a makeshift morgue.Fresh video footage has emerged that shows the extent of the suffering, including the corpses of children lined up in a makeshift morgue.
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Warning of danger of 'humanitarian catastrophe' in BurmaWarning of danger of 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Burma
There are some signs that Burma's military leaders may be relaxing their stance on accepting foreign aid. But there are some signs that Burma's military leaders may be relaxing their stance on accepting foreign aid.
In addition to the US plane, three aircraft from medical relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres are due in the country later today. Firstly, the US plane was given permission to land. It was carrying 12,700kg of supplies including mosquito nets, blankets and water.
A number of other flights arrived in the country over the weekend and some supplies were trucked across the border. And three aircraft from medical relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres are due in the country later.
But many foreign experts are still waiting for visas to enter the country and on Sunday, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) said that the amount of aid getting to victims was "nowhere near the scale required. A number of other flights arrived over the weekend and some supplies were trucked across the border.
As the US aircraft was loaded at Utapao airbase in Thailand, a spokesman for the operation said that the US was ready to provide more help. But many foreign experts are still waiting for visas to enter the country and on Sunday, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) said that the amount of aid getting to victims was "nowhere near the scale required".
"Today's flight is just the first step and we hope they will allow us to do more in the future," said Lt Col Douglas Powell. "It's really just up to what the Burmese will allow us to do." The US military says about 11,000 servicemen and four ships are in the region for an annual military exercise and could be harnessed to help.
UK Foreign Minister David Miliband said the Burmese government's reluctance to open its doors was making the tragedy worse. But the junta is sticking to its line - foreign aid is acceptable, foreign aid workers are not.
"A natural disaster is turning into a humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions, in significant part because of what I would describe as the malign neglect of the regime," he told the BBC. "Aid from any nations [is] accepted, and delivery of relief goods can be handled by local organisations," said minister for economic development, Soe Tha.
'Big blow'
Aid agencies are also warning of serious logistical hurdles getting supplies to affected areas.
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But he admitted in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper that some areas were still cut off.
"Supplies were dropped in flooded areas where the helicopters could not land," he said.
UK Foreign Minister David Miliband said the military government's attitude was helping to create a "humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions".
Aid agencies warn of serious logistical hurdles getting supplies to affected areas.
Roads and bridges have been washed away, and heavy rain is forecast for the coming week, further complicating relief efforts.Roads and bridges have been washed away, and heavy rain is forecast for the coming week, further complicating relief efforts.
On Sunday, a Red Cross boat carrying rice and drinking water for 1,000 people in Bogalay town hit a submerged tree and sank.On Sunday, a Red Cross boat carrying rice and drinking water for 1,000 people in Bogalay town hit a submerged tree and sank.
Michael Annear, the IFRC's disaster manager in Rangoon, described the sinking as "a big blow".Michael Annear, the IFRC's disaster manager in Rangoon, described the sinking as "a big blow".
"Apart from the delay in getting aid to people we may now have to re-evaluate how we transport that aid," he said. The European Union is to hold an emergency meeting on getting aid to Burma on Tuesday - while Asean (The Association of South-East Asian Nations) says it will discuss the issue next Monday.
The European Union is to hold an emergency meeting on getting aid to Burma on Tuesday.
Officials would "try to identify and co-ordinate the best means of facilitating the mobilisation and delivery of international humanitarian assistance," said Louis Michel, EU commissioner for humanitarian aid.
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