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Burma neighbours in cyclone talks Burma neighbours in cyclone talks
(10 minutes later)
The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) is holding urgent talks to discuss ways of helping Burma's cyclone victims.The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) is holding urgent talks to discuss ways of helping Burma's cyclone victims.
Foreign ministers meeting in Singapore hope Burma's military rulers - who have so far blocked most foreign aid offers - will accept Asean help. Foreign ministers meeting in Singapore hope Burma's military rulers - who have so far blocked most large-scale foreign aid offers - will accept Asean help.
But correspondents say the grouping cannot force a solution on a member, as decisions are only made by consensus.But correspondents say the grouping cannot force a solution on a member, as decisions are only made by consensus.
Burma says some 78,000 people have died since the cyclone hit on 2 May.Burma says some 78,000 people have died since the cyclone hit on 2 May.
MEMBERS OF ASEAN ThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaThe PhilippinesSingapore Brunei Vietnam Laos Burma CambodiaMEMBERS OF ASEAN ThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaThe PhilippinesSingapore Brunei Vietnam Laos Burma Cambodia
But aid agencies say many more may die without urgent help - according to Save the Children, some 30,000 acutely malnourished children under five years of age in Burma are threatened by death from starvation.But aid agencies say many more may die without urgent help - according to Save the Children, some 30,000 acutely malnourished children under five years of age in Burma are threatened by death from starvation.
In other developments:
  • The leader of Burma's junta, General Than Shwe, met the cyclone victims in relief camps near Rangoon for the first time on Sunday
  • A senior UN envoy, John Holmes, is in Burma, touring the Irrawaddy Delta region
  • UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to visit on Wednesday
  • An international donor conference is expected for later in the week
In other developments:
  • The leader of Burma's junta, General Than Shwe, met the cyclone victims in relief camps near Rangoon for the first time on Sunday
  • A senior UN envoy, John Holmes, is in Burma, touring the Irrawaddy Delta region
  • UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to visit on Wednesday
  • An international donor conference is expected for later in the week
'Some progress' Analysts say the forthcoming visit by Ban Ki-moon appears to demonstrate a thaw in the Burmese government's dealings with the UN - General Than Shwe had earlier refused to take telephone calls from Mr Ban.
Ahead of the Singapore talks, Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim told the BBC that there was a tremendous sense of frustration about aid not getting into Burma.
But the minister added that little could be done without the co-operation of the Burmese authorities.
The UN says it believes 2.4 million people are currently suffering as a result of the storm.
About 150,000 are living in temporary settlements, and are still short of food and water.
The cyclone has filled rice fields with sea water, destroying vital crops UK aid 'reaching cyclone victims'Burma: How you can helpWaiting to deliver aid
The BBC's Chris Hogg in Bangkok says there has been some progress though - about 250,000 people have now been given food rations that should last them a fortnight. Our correspondent says about 19,000 people are injured, and many hospitals and clinics have lost all their equipment.
'Dramatic steps''Dramatic steps'
The junta has been criticised around the world for obstructing international efforts to help the cyclone victims.The junta has been criticised around the world for obstructing international efforts to help the cyclone victims.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said its response had been "inhuman".
The humanitarian crisis is causing such a storm of international outrage that some Asean governments recognise that they have to act, the BBC's Jonathan Head says.The humanitarian crisis is causing such a storm of international outrage that some Asean governments recognise that they have to act, the BBC's Jonathan Head says.
The cyclone has filled rice fields with sea water, destroying vital crops UK aid 'reaching cyclone victims'Burma: How you can helpWaiting to deliver aid
He adds that this is likely to take the form of an Asean-led emergency relief effort, using Asian organisations to channel international aid - as their citizens may be more acceptable to Burma's xenophobic generals.He adds that this is likely to take the form of an Asean-led emergency relief effort, using Asian organisations to channel international aid - as their citizens may be more acceptable to Burma's xenophobic generals.
On Sunday, UK Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said the aid operation was finally "starting to move".On Sunday, UK Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said the aid operation was finally "starting to move".
He said there were signs that Burma might accept a compromise brokered by Asian intermediaries to allow more foreign help, including allowing Western ships to deliver aid.He said there were signs that Burma might accept a compromise brokered by Asian intermediaries to allow more foreign help, including allowing Western ships to deliver aid.
"We're just going to have see what negotiations in the coming days by the Asian leaders, by the UN secretary-general, achieve.
"I think you're going to see quite dramatic steps by the Burmese to open up," he told the BBC.
The UN says it believes 2.4 million people are currently suffering as a result of the storm.
About 150,000 are living in temporary settlements, and are still short of food and water.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesEyewitness: Barred from BurmaSend us your commentsEXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesEyewitness: Barred from BurmaSend us your comments
"We're just going to have see what negotiations in the coming days by the Asian leaders, by the UN secretary-general, achieve. I think you're going to see quite dramatic steps by the Burmese to open up," he told the BBC. The BBC's Chris Hogg in Bangkok says there has been some progress though - about 250,000 people have now been given food rations that should last them a fortnight.
Lord Malloch-Brown said only about 25% of the cyclone's most needy victims had received the help they needed. Our correspondent says about 19,000 people are injured, and many hospitals and clinics have lost all their equipment.
Are you in Burma? Do you live in or near the affected regions? Are you an aid worker in the country? Send us your comments using the form below. Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100
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Are you in Burma? Do you live in or near the affected regions? Are you an aid worker in the country? Send us your comments using the form below. Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 Name