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Burma 'to accept foreign medics' Burma 'to accept foreign medics'
(40 minutes later)
Cyclone-hit Burma has agreed to allow in medical workers from neighbouring countries, the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) says. Cyclone-hit Burma has agreed to accept increased levels of foreign aid, but only if it is channelled through neighbouring countries.
The regional grouping said it would co-ordinate the relief effort. The announcement was made at an Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) emergency meeting in Singapore.
Until now, Burma's secretive military rulers have allowed very few foreign aid workers into the country - a stance that has been widely condemned. Asean said medical teams from its member countries would be allowed in to Burma immediately.
Until now, Burma's secretive military rulers have allowed very few foreign aid workers into the country.
The UN believes 2.4 million people are currently suffering as a result of Cyclone Nargis, which hit on 2 May.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. Asean foreign ministers held the emergency meeting in Singapore to try to break the impasse over the military government's refusal to allow foreign disaster experts into the Irrawaddy Delta, the area worst hit by the cyclone.
Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo announced the move after a meeting of Asean foreign ministers in Singapore. Following the meeting, Asean said it would co-ordinate the international relief effort, and would send medical workers and disaster assessment teams from member countries to Burma immediately.
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. The BBC's Jonathan Head, who is at the meeting, says Burma's ruling generals are still fearful of allowing uncontrolled access to Western relief workers.
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. He says they will only be given visas and access to the Irrawaddy Delta on a case-by-case basis, and foreign journalists will still be banned.
'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.
Asean members held an emergency meeting to persuade Burma to accept foreign help Burma: How you can helpWaiting to deliver aidAsean members held an emergency meeting to persuade Burma to accept foreign help Burma: How you can helpWaiting 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
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 UN says more than two million people are suffering as a result of the storm.The UN says more than two million people are 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 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.
But he adds that 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