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Burma 'must allow aid workers in' Burma 'must allow aid workers in'
(40 minutes later)
Burmese exiles are urging the country's military rulers to allow aid agencies to operate freely inside the country in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Nargis.Burmese exiles are urging the country's military rulers to allow aid agencies to operate freely inside the country in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Nargis.
They say their expertise will be vital as Burma attempts to recover from the cyclone, which killed more than 350.They say their expertise will be vital as Burma attempts to recover from the cyclone, which killed more than 350.
Five regions have been declared disaster zones by the government, including the main city, Rangoon.Five regions have been declared disaster zones by the government, including the main city, Rangoon.
The United Nations has said it is still waiting for the government to approve the start of relief efforts. Meanwhile, state media says despite the cyclone, a referendum on a new constitution will go ahead on 10 May.
The Burmese regime is normally distrustful of outside influences. "The referendum is only a few days away and the people are eagerly looking forward to voting," the government is quoted as saying in a statement carried by state media.
The military regime is ill-prepared to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone Naing Aung, Forum for Democracy in Burma Burma's leaders say the referendum will pave the way for multi-party elections in 2010, but critics say the charter is aimed primarily at further entrenching military rule.
'Ill-prepared'
The United Nations has said it is still waiting for the government to approve the start of relief efforts in the wake of the cyclone.
The Burmese regime is normally distrustful of outside influences. The military regime is ill-prepared to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone Naing Aung, Forum for Democracy in Burma
The regional head of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Terje Skavdal, told the BBC that his organisation was hoping to take relief supplies into Burma - with plastic sheeting for shelter, water purification tablets and cooking sets a priority.The regional head of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Terje Skavdal, told the BBC that his organisation was hoping to take relief supplies into Burma - with plastic sheeting for shelter, water purification tablets and cooking sets a priority.
He said Burma's deputy minister of social welfare had indicated that international assistance might be welcome.He said Burma's deputy minister of social welfare had indicated that international assistance might be welcome.
"Hopefully that will mean that we in the next few days might be able to mobilise additional resources to support the victims of this situation.""Hopefully that will mean that we in the next few days might be able to mobilise additional resources to support the victims of this situation."
Naing Aung, secretary general of the Thailand-based Forum for Democracy in Burma, said: "International expertise in dealing with natural disasters is urgently required.Naing Aung, secretary general of the Thailand-based Forum for Democracy in Burma, said: "International expertise in dealing with natural disasters is urgently required.
"The military regime is ill-prepared to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone.""The military regime is ill-prepared to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone."
'Villages flattened''Villages flattened'
Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit the country two days ago with winds of speeds reaching 190km/h (120 mph).Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit the country two days ago with winds of speeds reaching 190km/h (120 mph).
In Rangoon, roofs were blown off buildings and electricity supplies cut.In Rangoon, roofs were blown off buildings and electricity supplies cut.
In pictures: Burma cycloneIn pictures: Burma cyclone
Shari Villarosa, the leading US diplomat in the city, said the storm had caused devastation.Shari Villarosa, the leading US diplomat in the city, said the storm had caused devastation.
"The Burmese are saying they have never seen anything like this, ever," she told the Associated Press news agency."The Burmese are saying they have never seen anything like this, ever," she told the Associated Press news agency.
Rescue workers have yet to reach some of the worst-hit areas of the country, including the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region, which was also hit by a storm surge.Rescue workers have yet to reach some of the worst-hit areas of the country, including the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region, which was also hit by a storm surge.
"The villages there have reportedly been completely flattened," said Chris Kaye, the UN's acting humanitarian co-ordinator in Rangoon."The villages there have reportedly been completely flattened," said Chris Kaye, the UN's acting humanitarian co-ordinator in Rangoon.
Initial efforts to assess the situation had been hampered because roads were blocked with storm debris and telephone lines were down, he added.Initial efforts to assess the situation had been hampered because roads were blocked with storm debris and telephone lines were down, he added.
State-run television reported that at least 162 people had been killed on Haing-Gyi island, off the country's south-west coast. About 20,000 homes have been destroyed on the island, and 90,000 people made homeless.State-run television reported that at least 162 people had been killed on Haing-Gyi island, off the country's south-west coast. About 20,000 homes have been destroyed on the island, and 90,000 people made homeless.
The cyclone hit less than a week before a referendum on a new Burmese constitution. Burma has been under military rule since 1962, and the government stifles most dissenting voices.
Burma's leaders say it will pave the way for multi-party elections in 2010, but critics say the charter is aimed primarily at further entrenching military rule. It has been widely criticised for human rights abuses and the suppression of opposition parties such as the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest.
Burma's government has been widely criticised for human rights abuses and suppression of pro-democracy parties such as National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for almost 12 of the past 18 years.
Last September, at least 31 people were killed and thousands more were detained when the military suppressed anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks.Last September, at least 31 people were killed and thousands more were detained when the military suppressed anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks.
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