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Burma seeks crucial aid donations Burma seeks crucial aid donations
(about 5 hours later)
Dozens of international delegates are to meet in Rangoon to pledge money for Burma's recovery after the devastating Cyclone Nargis, which killed 78,000. Dozens of international delegates are meeting in Rangoon to pledge money for Burma's recovery after the devastating Cyclone Nargis, which killed 78,000.
Some diplomats say they will use the UN-sponsored aid conference to push for immediate access to the worst-hit regions for foreign relief workers. Burma's military government is expected to ask for a total of nearly $11bn (£5.5bn) to fund relief work.
Burma's leaders promised on Friday to allow all aid workers into the country, but there has been little movement.Burma's leaders promised on Friday to allow all aid workers into the country, but there has been little movement.
Three weeks on, many of the 2.5 million people affected have not received help. Correspondents say many attending the conference are reluctant to pledge more aid without clear-cut assurances.
Forty-four countries have signed up to attend the conference, which has been jointly organised by the UN and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).Forty-four countries have signed up to attend the conference, which has been jointly organised by the UN and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).
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
Burma's military rulers are expected to call for $10.7bn (£5.4bn) to cover the massive costs of the relief effort and reconstruction, but it is unclear if this figure will be reached. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who will chair the meeting, has arrived in Rangoon.
The BBC's Laura Trevelyan, who is travelling with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, says the military leaders appear to have made a major concession by saying they will let admit international aid workers - but countries will want to know that is really going to happen before they pledge money. The BBC's Laura Trevelyan, who is travelling with Mr Ban, says the military leaders appear to have made a major concession by saying they will let admit international aid workers - but countries will want to know that is really going to happen before they pledge money.
The British overseas development minister, Douglas Alexander, who is one of only 15 ministers attending, said his government would be taking a tough line.The British overseas development minister, Douglas Alexander, who is one of only 15 ministers attending, said his government would be taking a tough line.
He said the challenge would be to "make sure the regime hears a clear and unequivocal message that we want their word to be translated into actions."He said the challenge would be to "make sure the regime hears a clear and unequivocal message that we want their word to be translated into actions."
Three weeks on, many of the 2.4 million people affected by the cyclone have not received help.
Disaster response 'celebrated'Disaster response 'celebrated'
On Saturday, Mr Ban opened a new logistics hub at Bangkok airport, in Thailand, to help speed up the delivery of outside aid to victims of the cyclone.On Saturday, Mr Ban opened a new logistics hub at Bangkok airport, in Thailand, to help speed up the delivery of outside aid to victims of the cyclone.
"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."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.
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Burmese monks on a secret trip to hand out aidBurmese monks on a secret trip to hand out aid
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 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.The UN has chartered three cargo planes to carry it into Burma.
The international organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres says it has some foreign staff working in four areas of the Irrawaddy Delta. There is also a Thai medical team working there.The international organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres says it has some foreign staff working in four areas of the Irrawaddy Delta. There is also a Thai medical team working there.
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.
But on Saturday Burmese state television ran a special programme essentially celebrating the government's response to the disaster.But on Saturday Burmese state television ran a special programme essentially celebrating the government's response to the disaster.
Meanwhile, the authorities decided to go ahead with polling for a controversial constitutional referendum, which had been postponed in those areas affected by the cyclone.Meanwhile, the authorities decided to go ahead with polling for a controversial constitutional referendum, which had been postponed in those areas affected by the cyclone.
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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