ICRC sends first aid flight for Myanmar victims

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has provided thousands of prisoners affected by last week's cyclone with drinking water and medical help.

The Swiss-run aid agency says a plane with 35 tonnes of relief goods left Geneva on Friday evening.

Spokesman Marçal Izard said on Saturday that the pumps, generators, water tanks, health care and surgical material are destined for cyclone victims in prisons and labour camps.

Izard said Myanmar's government asked the neutral agency to help. The ICRC has been facilitating family visits to prisoners in the country over the past few years. It has six international staff and 90 local staff in Myanmar.


State media say 23,335 people have died and 37,019 are missing from Cyclone Nargis, which submerged entire villages in the Irrawaddy delta. International aid organisations say the death toll could climb to more than 100,000 as conditions worsen.

The UN estimates 1.5 million to 2 million people have been severely affected and has voiced concern about the disposal of bodies.

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