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Burma 'to accept more Asean help' Burma 'to accept foreign medics'
(40 minutes later)
Cyclone-hit Burma has agreed to accept increased assistance from the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), the regional grouping says. Cyclone-hit Burma has agreed to allow in medical workers from neighbouring countries, the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) says.
The regional grouping said it would co-ordinate the relief effort.
Until now, Burma's secretive military rulers have allowed very few foreign aid workers into the country - a stance that has been widely condemned.
The UN believes 2.4 million people are currently suffering as a result of Cyclone Nargis, which hit on 2 May.
Asean says there is an agreement to allow medical workers, and disaster assessment teams from Asean member countries, to go in to Burma immediately.
Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo announced the move after a meeting of Asean foreign ministers in Singapore.Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo announced the move after a meeting of Asean foreign ministers in Singapore.
Burma says some 78,000 people have died since Cyclone Nargis hit on 2 May. The BBC's Jonathan Head, who is at the meeting, says Asean is offering itself as a bridge between UN and international agencies and the cyclone-hit areas of Burma.
Its military rulers have been widely criticised for obstructing international efforts to help the cyclone victims. But he adds there are few details of how this co-ordinated relief effort will work, or how all the international aid and expertise that is available can be channelled.
MEMBERS OF ASEAN
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Singapore says there are few details at the moment, but it appears that Burma will allow Asean to co-ordinate the international relief effort, and will also allow medical teams from Asean member countries to go in immediately.
He says Asean is offering itself as a bridge between UN and international agencies, which Burma is uncomfortable with, and the humanitarian disaster in Burma.
'Tremendous frustration''Tremendous frustration'
Before the meeting, the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dr Rais Yatim, told the BBC there was a tremendous sense of frustration about aid not getting in to Burma, but he added that little could be done without the co-operation of the authorities there.Before the meeting, the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dr Rais Yatim, told the BBC there was a tremendous sense of frustration about aid not getting in to Burma, but he added that little could be done without the co-operation of the authorities there.
In other developments:
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  • 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
Asean members held an emergency meeting to persuade Burma to accept foreign help class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7389735.stm">Burma: How you can help class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7405695.stm">Waiting to deliver aid
In other developments:
  • 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 will be held in Rangoon on Sunday
Analysts say the forthcoming visit by Mr Ban appears to demonstrate a thaw in the Burmese government's dealings with the UN - junta leader General Than Shwe had earlier refused to take telephone calls from the UN chief.Analysts say the forthcoming visit by Mr Ban appears to demonstrate a thaw in the Burmese government's dealings with the UN - junta leader General Than Shwe had earlier refused to take telephone calls from the UN chief.
The cyclone has filled rice fields with sea water, destroying vital crops class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7389735.stm">Burma: How you can help class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7405695.stm">Waiting to deliver aid The UN says more than two million people are suffering as a result of the storm.
'Dramatic steps'
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.
"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.About 150,000 are living in temporary settlements, and are still short of food and water.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesEXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite images
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.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. But he adds that 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