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First US aid plane lands in Burma First US aid plane lands in Burma
(29 minutes later)
The first US aid flight to Burma following the devastating cyclone nine days ago has landed in Rangoon.The first US aid flight to Burma following the devastating cyclone nine days ago has landed in Rangoon.
The US spent days negotiating with Burma's military government to gain permission for the aircraft to land.The US spent days negotiating with Burma's military government to gain permission for the aircraft to land.
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.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.
The official death toll has risen to almost 30,000 but aid agencies fear 1.5m could die if help does not come. The official death toll has risen to almost 32,000, with close to another 30,000 missing.
The agencies estimate that 100,000 have already perished. But aid agencies fear 1.5m could die if help does not come, and estimate that 100,000 have already perished.
An official from Save the Children in Burma told the BBC that about half the people affected by the cyclone were receiving help.An official from Save the Children in Burma told the BBC that about half the people affected by the cyclone were receiving help.
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 victims 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. An Associated Press reporter in the delta region described how more than 50 bodies could be seen in three hours on the river.
"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 report said. "Many have turned white as they float entwined in mangrove trees," the 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.
There are some signs, however, that Burma's military leaders may be relaxing their stance on accepting foreign aid.
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US transport plane in RangoonUS transport plane in Rangoon
There are some signs that Burma's military leaders may be relaxing their stance on accepting foreign aid. Besides the US plane, aircraft from relief agencies Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and Medecins du Monde (MDM) arrived in the country on Monday, with a total of 56 tons of medicines and other supplies.
Firstly, the US plane was given permission to land. It was carrying 12,700kg of supplies including mosquito nets, blankets and water.
The first aircraft from medical relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) also arrived in the country early on Monday.
The plane was carrying 34 tons of supplies, including medical treatments and logistical materials including plastic sheeting and water containers.
MSF said three more of its planes were expected to arrive on Monday and Tuesday.MSF said three more of its planes were expected to arrive on Monday and Tuesday.
'Not enough''Not enough'
A number of other flights arrived over the weekend and some supplies were trucked across the border. A number of other flights arrived over the weekend and some supplies reached Burma by land.
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".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".
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. The US military says about 11,000 servicemen and four ships are in the region for a military exercise and could be harnessed to help.
But the junta is sticking to its line - foreign aid is acceptable, foreign aid workers are not. The junta insists that foreign aid is acceptable but foreign aid workers are not.
"Aid from any nations [is] accepted, and delivery of relief goods can be handled by local organisations," said minister for economic development, Soe Tha.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsBurmese voice anger on poll day EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsBurmese voice anger on poll day
But he admitted in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper that some areas were still cut off. It has said local organisations can deliver aid, while acknowledging that some areas are cut off by flood waters.
"Supplies were dropped in flooded areas where the helicopters could not land," he said. Nor has the generals' tight control on the media relaxed.
UK Foreign Minister David Miliband said the military government's attitude was helping to create a "humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions". The BBC's Asia bureau editor Paul Danahar was deported from Rangoon over the weekend after a week of reporting.
And the generals' tight control on the media has not relaxed.
The BBC's Asia bureau editor Paul Danahar was deported from Rangoon on the weekend after a week of reporting on the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.
He had already boarded a flight to return to Bangkok when he was detained by Burmese security officials, who then formally deported him.
Meanwhile, aid agencies are warning of serious logistical hurdles getting supplies to affected areas.Meanwhile, aid agencies are warning 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".
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 - while Asean (the Association of South-East Asian Nations) says it will discuss the issue next Monday.
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