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UN head to urge more aid in Burma UN head arrives in Burma
(40 minutes later)
United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has arrived in cyclone-hit Burma to tour the devastated Irrawaddy Delta and meet with military ruler Gen Than Shwe. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has arrived in cyclone-hit Burma to tour the devastated Irrawaddy Delta and meet military ruler Gen Than Shwe.
Mr Ban said the focus should be on saving lives, not on politics. Mr Ban said he had "a message of hope" for cyclone victims.
Burma's rulers have blocked large-scale international aid but have now agreed to allow some UN helicopters to carry supplies to survivors. Burma's rulers have blocked large-scale international aid, and foreign agencies say they are delivering just 30% of what they would like to give.
Aid agencies say they are delivering about 30% of what they would like, 20 days after Cyclone Nargis struck. A BBC reporter in Burma says people are extremely angry about the way the government has dealt with the disaster.
'Critical moment''Critical moment'
The death toll from Cyclone Nargis currently stands at 78,000 dead, with another 56,000 missing.The death toll from Cyclone Nargis currently stands at 78,000 dead, with another 56,000 missing.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes and the UN says that less than a quarter of the 2.4 million people affected have received aid.Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes and the UN says that less than a quarter of the 2.4 million people affected have received aid.
This is a critical moment for Myanmar [Burma]. The government itself acknowledges that there has never been a disaster on this scale in the history of their country Ban Ki-moon Eyewitness: 'Obliterated villages'Cyclone victims' tales seep throughIn pictures: Burma's plightThis is a critical moment for Myanmar [Burma]. The government itself acknowledges that there has never been a disaster on this scale in the history of their country Ban Ki-moon Eyewitness: 'Obliterated villages'Cyclone victims' tales seep throughIn pictures: Burma's plight
Ships from the British, French and American navies are standing by off the Irrawaddy Delta but they have not been allowed to deliver it. The generals have agreed that some UN helicopters can join the aid effort, but British, French and American navies are still standing by off the Irrawaddy Delta, having been refused access to the area.
"We must do our utmost for the people of Myanmar [Burma]," Mr Ban said before leaving Bangkok, in neighbouring Thailand, for the short flight to Burma. Ban Ki-Moon's visit to Burma is aimed at persuading the military government to accept more foreign help.
"This is a critical moment for Myanmar. The government itself acknowledges that there has never been a disaster on this scale in the history of their country." "I bring a message of hope for the people of Myanmar [Burma]," Mr Ban said, after making an offering for the cyclone victims at the Shwedagon Pagoda, the holiest Buddhist shrine in Burma.
He will tour devastated regions on Thursday and then fly to the remote capital, Nay Pyi Taw, for talks with General Than Shwe on Friday. "I hope your people and government can co-ordinate the flow of aid so the aid work can be done in a more systematic and organised way," he is reported to have told local officials.
Mr Ban also held a short meeting with Prime Minister Thein Sein, and is due to tour the devastated Irrawaddy Delta region later on Thursday.
He will then fly to the remote capital, Nay Pyi Taw, for talks with Burma's leader, Than Shwe, on Friday.
Mr Ban will also attend a donor conference in Burma's commercial capital, Rangoon, on Sunday.Mr Ban will also attend a donor conference in Burma's commercial capital, Rangoon, on Sunday.
Pressure on generalsPressure on generals
His visit follows that of the UN humanitarian co-ordinator John Holmes.His visit follows that of the UN humanitarian co-ordinator John Holmes.
Mr Holmes has described his negotiations with the Burmese government as painful and frustrating.Mr Holmes has described his negotiations with the Burmese government as painful and frustrating.
He also said he was very worried about the lack of reliable information from the disaster zone, and that he could still not be sure how many survivors were waiting to be reached.He also said he was very worried about the lack of reliable information from the disaster zone, and that he could still not be sure how many survivors were waiting to be reached.
Click here for a map of the deltaClick here for a map of the delta
He added that a lot was riding on the meeting between Mr Ban and the Burmese leadership.He added that a lot was riding on the meeting between Mr Ban and the Burmese leadership.
There are signs that the generals are feeling pressure to do more for their people, says a BBC correspondent in Burma. There are signs that the generals are feeling pressure to do more for their people, says a BBC correspondent in Burma who cannot be named for security reasons.
World Food Programme (WFP) officials said the military had agreed to allow the UN agency to use 10 helicopters to deliver aid.World Food Programme (WFP) officials said the military had agreed to allow the UN agency to use 10 helicopters to deliver aid.
But the helicopters have to be chartered, flown to Bangkok and assembled before they can be put into operation.But the helicopters have to be chartered, flown to Bangkok and assembled before they can be put into operation.
A WFP official said they had permission to fly directly to cyclone-hit areas with supplies, rather than unloading them at the airport in Rangoon for the Burmese authorities to distribute.A WFP official said they had permission to fly directly to cyclone-hit areas with supplies, rather than unloading them at the airport in Rangoon for the Burmese authorities to distribute.
The government also agreed to allow more foreign aid workers in - from its neighbours in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.The government also agreed to allow more foreign aid workers in - from its neighbours in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Burma has been criticised for the slowness and inefficiency of its response to the cyclone and its reluctance to accept international offers of help.Burma has been criticised for the slowness and inefficiency of its response to the cyclone and its reluctance to accept international offers of help.
There are signs that people in Burma are angry with their government. Some students have threatened strikes and protests if more help is not accepted from wherever it is offered, says our correspondent.There are signs that people in Burma are angry with their government. Some students have threatened strikes and protests if more help is not accepted from wherever it is offered, says our correspondent.
Are you in Burma? Have you been affected by the cyclone? Are you involved in the relief effort? Tell us about your experience using the form below:Are you in Burma? Have you been affected by the cyclone? Are you involved in the relief effort? Tell us about your experience using the form below:
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