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Cautious response to Burma pledge Cautious response to Burma pledge
(about 4 hours later)
Aid agencies have given a cautious welcome to the announcement that Burma's leaders will allow all foreign relief workers into cyclone-hit areas. Aid agencies have cautiously welcomed Burma's decision to let all foreign relief workers into cyclone-hit areas.
The UN's World Food Programme said the real test was whether its workers would be allowed to leave Rangoon for the devastated southern Irrawaddy Delta. The UN World Food Programme said the real test was whether staff had access to the badly-hit Irrawaddy Delta.
About 78,000 people died and 56,000 are missing after the 2 May cyclone. In Thailand UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened a new base to speed up aid for victims of the cyclone, which killed 78,000 and left 56,000 missing.
Meanwhile, the polls have opened in the final stage of a controversial referendum on a new constitution. Meanwhile polls closed in the final stage of a controversial Burmese referendum on a new constitution.
The vote is taking place in Rangoon and parts of the Irrawaddy delta, where only a few million people will be casting their ballots. The vote took place in Rangoon and parts of the Irrawaddy delta.
Analysts say this is not nearly enough to overturn a massive majority in favour of the new constitution, which the Burmese leadership claimed during the main stage of the vote earlier this month. Analysts say the few million voting here will not have been nearly enough to overturn a massive majority in favour of the new constitution, which the Burmese leadership claimed during the main stage of the vote earlier this month.
'World is watching' 'Life-saving'
Thousands of aid workers are needed for the relief effort in Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, and the massive reconstruction that must follow. Mr Ban, who returns to Burma on Sunday for an international donors' conference, described the new base in Thailand as a critical staging area for the relief effort for Cyclone Nargis, which hit on 2 May.
For weeks, Burma's government - suspicious of foreigners and fearful of any development which could challenge its monopoly on power - has blocked foreign aid workers.
Click here for a map of the deltaReporter's diarySend us your commentsWill Burma keep its word on aid?Burmese anger at juntaClick here for a map of the deltaReporter's diarySend us your commentsWill Burma keep its word on aid?Burmese anger at junta
The change in the Burmese generals' hardline position on access came after a meeting on Friday between UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Burma's senior general, Than Shwe. "It will enable larger planes to be used, more aid to be flown in from all over the world, it will save lives," he said.
The BBC's Chris Hogg in Bangkok says some aid has already accumulated in a cavernous warehouse in the city's old airport, which will be sorted so that the most urgent shipments can be prepared for loading.
The UN has chartered three cargo planes to carry it into Burma.
Thousands of aid workers are also needed for the relief effort, and the massive reconstruction that must follow.
For weeks, Burma's government - suspicious of foreigners and fearful of any development which could challenge its monopoly on power - has blocked foreign aid workers.
The change in the Burmese generals' hardline position on access came after a meeting on Friday between Mr Ban and Burma's senior general, Than Shwe.
After talks in Burma's remote capital, Nay Pyi Daw, Mr Ban said Burma would now allow the delivery of aid "via civilian ships and small boats".After talks in Burma's remote capital, Nay Pyi Daw, Mr Ban said Burma would now allow the delivery of aid "via civilian ships and small boats".
But his wording suggested that the US, British and French warships waiting off the coast with supplies may not be able to dock.But his wording suggested that the US, British and French warships waiting off the coast with supplies may not be able to dock.
Correspondents say Burma has a record of withdrawing promises made to the UN, and aid agencies are waiting to hear how these new arrangements will work in practice.Correspondents say Burma has a record of withdrawing promises made to the UN, and aid agencies are waiting to hear how these new arrangements will work in practice.
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Burmese monks on a secret trip to hand out aidBurmese monks on a secret trip to hand out aid
The UN's World Food Programme says it has now been allowed to bring in 10 helicopters to ferry supplies to the disaster zone. The World Food Programme says it has now been allowed to bring in 10 helicopters to ferry supplies to the disaster zone.
The international organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres says it now has some foreign staff working in four areas of the Irrawaddy Delta.The international organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres says it now has some foreign staff working in four areas of the Irrawaddy Delta.
There is also a Thai medical team working there too. There is also a Thai medical team working there.
Mr Ban stressed that "implementation will be the key", and warned that what happened next would be closely watched.
Western governments have backed Mr Ban's visit, calling for pressure on Burma's leadership to do more to help the cyclone victims.
The UN estimates that only a quarter of the 2.5 million Burmese affected by the cyclone have received the help they need.The UN estimates that only a quarter of the 2.5 million Burmese affected by the cyclone have received the help they need.
Meanwhile, Mr Ban has arrived in China, to observe relief efforts after a massive earthquake struck Sichuan province on 12 May, killing more than 55,000 people.
Mr Ban is in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, from where he is expected to travel to a town close to the quake's epicentre later on Saturday.
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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