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30 August 2008 17:18 BST

Burma to accept cyclone relief coordination

Monday, 19 May 2008 19:50

Burma's military rulers to allow neighbouring countries to coordinate relief efforts for Cyclone Nargis victims

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Burma's military rulers are to allow neighbouring countries to coordinate its relief efforts for victims of Cyclone Nargis.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) said Burma had agreed to an increased international role in getting aid to people in the devastated Irrawaddy Delta region.

"[Burma] will accept international assistance," said Singaporean foreign minister George Yeo after an emergency meeting of the Asian bloc.

"We will establish a mechanism so that aid from all over the world can flow into [Burma]."

Up to 130,000 people are feared dead because of the cyclone, which flattened entire villages after making landfall at the beginning of May.

According to the United Nations more than 2.4 million people are in need of basic supplies amid accusations that the country's ruling junta is hampering relief efforts.

The World Food Programme has received just 17 visas for international staff, with only 24-directly employed workers operating in the worst affected areas of the delta.

"More than two weeks since Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar, the United Nations World Food Programme continues to make progress, albeit slow and insufficient, in reaching the victims," a statement explained.

On Monday UN relief coordinator John Holmes toured areas hit by the cyclone and was due to deliver a letter to the junta chief General Than Shwe from Ban Ki-moon.

The UN secretary general is scheduled to visit Burma next week, despite originally having his calls rejected by the country's rulers. End of story

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Burma to accept cyclone relief coordination

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