Aid agencies gain access to devastated Myanmar

Australian News.Net
Tuesday 6th May, 2008

A massive aid operation is underway in Myanmar where the toll from Saturday's cyclone has continued to swell.

State media say 10,000 people died in one town alone and put the number of dead at 22,000.

Hundreds of thousands of people are said to be without clean water and shelter, with some areas still completely cut-off.

Myanmar's leaders have now agreed to let international agencies in to help.

The military government has traditionally been suspicious of aid agencies, limiting their activities, but aid officials say the quick agreement for access reflects the scale of the disaster.

With the government more open to international assistance, the aid agency response to the devastation will be a major logistical feat, requiring trucks and amphibious vessels.

Work is still underway to assess the scale of the devastation caused by the cyclone, which brought winds reaching 190km/h.

In the low-lying Irrawaddy Delta region, the storm caused a sea surge that smashed through towns and villages.

In some villages it has been reported that up to 95% of houses have been destroyed.

State media have said that ten thousand people died in the town of Bogalay alone.

Several hundred thousands of people are in dire need of shelter and clean drinking water.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN would do whatever to provide urgent humanitarian assistance.

Despite the disaster, Myanmar's military leaders there still plan to hold a nationwide referendum on a new constitution on 10th May, although the areas most affected will have their referndum day postponed to May 24.

The ruling junta says the charter will bring elections, but critics say it will help the military retain its iron grip on power.

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