Too little, too late for Burma
Ban Ki-Moon, waiting. Photo: Christophe Simon, Getty Images
THE situation in Burma was last night described as "extremely grave" as only a trickle of aid appeared to have made it to those in the worst-hit areas.
As a result the British Government has pledged another £10m (€12.7m) in aid to help those hit by Cyclone Nargis.
Britain's International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said only one million of the 2.4 million people affected had so far received any form of relief.
While millions remained in "desperate need", the regime had yet to honour promises made to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon over allowing aid workers to operate freely, Mr Alexander said.
He was "disappointed and saddened" by the continuing detention of Aung San Suu Kyi.
In a written statement to MPs, Mr Alexander said "significant concerns'' remained over the restrictions placed on relief workers and aid agencies: Visa extensions were only granted for one or two weeks, travel has restrictions and government officials are required to accompany relief staff.
He said the government had funded 20 aid flights to Rangoon equipped with plastic sheeting and blankets for 250,000 as well as hygiene kits and boats. Also 162,000 mosquito nets were being sent.
Mr Alexander stressed the new money would be channelled through the Red Cross, NGOs and local community organisations. He said: "As before, none of the assistance will go through the Burmese regime... While access has improved, the situation remains extremely grave."
Delivery of aid was increasing and around 237 flights had arrived since the disaster.
Nearly 78,000 have been confirmed dead, while 56,000 more are still missing since the May 2 cyclone. Burmese authorities are under concerted international pressure to allow more relief and aid workers in.
- Ben Padley in Burma
