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Burma storm aid frustrations grow Burma storm aid frustrations grow
(about 5 hours later)
Top aid envoys are ramping up pressure on Burma, as reports from the country suggest aid is still not reaching the region worst hit by Cyclone Nargis.Top aid envoys are ramping up pressure on Burma, as reports from the country suggest aid is still not reaching the region worst hit by Cyclone Nargis.
A BBC reporter visiting the Irrawaddy Delta said there was little sign of aid from the government, which has banned foreign aid staff from the area. A BBC reporter visiting the Irrawaddy Delta said there was little sign of help from the government, which has banned foreign aid staff from the area.
But Burma's prime minister said the emergency relief phase was finished, and rebuilding was beginning.But Burma's prime minister said the emergency relief phase was finished, and rebuilding was beginning.
Aid agencies say relief for up to 2.5m affected people is vastly insufficient. Agencies say the response is not enough and that up to 2.5m people need aid.
Official death figures from Burma - also known as Myanmar - have risen to more than 43,000, with nearly 28,000 missing, but the Red Cross and UN both say the toll could top 100,000.Official death figures from Burma - also known as Myanmar - have risen to more than 43,000, with nearly 28,000 missing, but the Red Cross and UN both say the toll could top 100,000.
No aid in deltaNo aid in delta
The BBC's Natalia Antelava reports that the muddy banks of the Irrawaddy Delta are lined with white, swollen bodies and the air reeks of rotting flesh.The BBC's Natalia Antelava reports that the muddy banks of the Irrawaddy Delta are lined with white, swollen bodies and the air reeks of rotting flesh.
I have always despised this government, now I really hate them Irrawaddy Delta resident href="either url here">Survivors angered by government I have always despised this government, now I really hate them Irrawaddy Delta resident href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7403938.stm">Survivors angered by government
Nearly two weeks after the cyclone struck, survivors who have lost loved ones have no fresh water and just enough rice to get by, our correspondent says.Nearly two weeks after the cyclone struck, survivors who have lost loved ones have no fresh water and just enough rice to get by, our correspondent says.
While the military government has put impressive effort into clean-up operations in the former capital, Rangoon, she reports, there was no sign of an aid operation as she travelled into the Delta by boat. While the military government has put impressive effort into clean-up operations in the former capital, Rangoon, she reports, there was no sign of an aid operation as she travelled into the delta by boat.
Burma's authorities have welcomed aid donations from all over the world, but only a few foreign experts have been allowed into the country to help organise the relief effort.Burma's authorities have welcomed aid donations from all over the world, but only a few foreign experts have been allowed into the country to help organise the relief effort.
'Time to save lives''Time to save lives'
The EU's top aid official, Louis Michel, who is in the country for talks, urged the Burmese government to improve access for international aid experts. The EU's top aid official, Louis Michel, said he had not yet gained permission to travel to the worst affected area. He is due to leave Burma on Friday.
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People wait for help in the worst-hit Irrawaddy DeltaPeople wait for help in the worst-hit Irrawaddy Delta
"I requested to go into the delta but was not allowed to enter yesterday. I am still hoping to go today," he told AFP news agency.
He said he had been taken to "a rather perfect, organised camp" near Rangoon.
Many relief workers are awaiting visas and most of those who have been allowed into the country remain confined to Rangoon.Many relief workers are awaiting visas and most of those who have been allowed into the country remain confined to Rangoon.
"You know, relations between Myanmar and the international community are difficult," he told Reuters news agency. "But that is not my problem." Mr Michel said he had only been told his requests for more visas would be considered.
"The time is not for political discussion. It's time to deliver aid to save lives."
UN humanitarian chief John Holmes, who is preparing to visit the country, told the BBC the situation was "very frustrating".UN humanitarian chief John Holmes, who is preparing to visit the country, told the BBC the situation was "very frustrating".
He urged the government not only to allow staff into the affected areas, but also to accept international offers of helicopters and boats to transport much-needed supplies to hard to reach areas. He urged the government not only to allow staff into the affected areas, but also to accept international offers of helicopters and boats to transport much-needed supplies to hard-to-reach areas.
'Rebuilding stage''Rebuilding stage'
Burma's military leadership has signalled it is not prepared to change its policy on the relief effort.Burma's military leadership has signalled it is not prepared to change its policy on the relief effort.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesThe slow trickle of aidUrgent EU missionSend us your commentsEXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesThe slow trickle of aidUrgent EU missionSend us your comments
"We have already finished our first phase of emergency relief. We are going onto the second phase, the rebuilding stage," Prime Minister Thein Sein was quoted as saying by Burmese state television."We have already finished our first phase of emergency relief. We are going onto the second phase, the rebuilding stage," Prime Minister Thein Sein was quoted as saying by Burmese state television.
On Thursday, state media New Light of Myanmar newspaper said the people "will not rely too much on international assistance and will reconstruct the nation on a self-reliance basis".On Thursday, state media New Light of Myanmar newspaper said the people "will not rely too much on international assistance and will reconstruct the nation on a self-reliance basis".
Top British diplomat Mark Malloch Brown lambasted Burmese authorities for not facilitating the flow of aid.Top British diplomat Mark Malloch Brown lambasted Burmese authorities for not facilitating the flow of aid.
"We are way behind the curve compared to any other international disaster in recent memory," he said."We are way behind the curve compared to any other international disaster in recent memory," he said.
"I cannot recall a relief operation where, at least the international response has been subjected to such delays.""I cannot recall a relief operation where, at least the international response has been subjected to such delays."
Donors meetingDonors meeting
Large quantities of international aid are being delivered to the region and awaiting permission for delivery to areas hardest-hit by the cyclone.Large quantities of international aid are being delivered to the region and awaiting permission for delivery to areas hardest-hit by the cyclone.
HAVE YOUR SAYBurma is in a difficult state and I feel that the world should not give upTanya, LiverpoolSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYBurma is in a difficult state and I feel that the world should not give upTanya, LiverpoolSend us your comments
A French plane loaded with 40 tonnes of rations was allowed to land in Rangoon on Wednesday and a naval ship laden with aid was headed to the country in the hope it would be allowed to dock there.A French plane loaded with 40 tonnes of rations was allowed to land in Rangoon on Wednesday and a naval ship laden with aid was headed to the country in the hope it would be allowed to dock there.
The Association of South East Asian Nations is due to hold a high-level meeting in the coming days that is expected to lay the framework for a broader aid donors conference.The Association of South East Asian Nations is due to hold a high-level meeting in the coming days that is expected to lay the framework for a broader aid donors conference.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross is due to launch an appeal for more aid two weeks after the storm hit.Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross is due to launch an appeal for more aid two weeks after the storm hit.
Burma's military leadership has warned that those who hoard or sell international aid on the black market will be prosecuted, amid international reports of misuse of some aid shipments. Burma's military leadership has warned that those who hoard or sell aid on the black market will be prosecuted, amid international reports of misuse of some aid shipments.
The generals have also lauded what they said was a 92% approval of a new constitution in a referendum held last Saturday.The generals have also lauded what they said was a 92% approval of a new constitution in a referendum held last Saturday.