Red Cross workers get visas for Burma

May 10, 2008

SEVEN Red Cross aid workers, including four Australians, have received visas to enter cyclone-hit Burma.
Australian Michael Annear, regional disaster response coordinator who has been in Burma since Tuesday, spoke to international media tonight.

An estimated 1.5 million people have been left homeless by the deadly cyclone Nargis, which has killed an estimated 66,000 people.

Red Cross workers in Burma have had two truckloads of aid supplies arrive, Mr Annear said.

Those aid packs contain hygiene kits, mosquito nets, safe drinking water, some rice, jerry cans and water cleansing tablets.

Mr Annear said those packs will be distributed to aid workers in the worst-hit areas as soon as possible.

"As they are part of the community they are able to see where the greatest need is and really distribute that."

He said aid workers do have setbacks but are doing their best to get supplies out.

Mr Annear said he had not been able to get down to the worst-hit Irrawaddy Delta area.

"But my colleagues there have informed me many of the population are concerned about the situation. There are concerns about shelter.

They are also looking at the Burma Red Cross if we can give water supply to the people, because they are searching for water."

He said the jerry cans and water treatment pills the Red Cross have been supplying had helped.

"Basically they are trying to rebuild their lives. They are working there slowly."

He said the visa process was slow, but more Red Cross workers are expected to arrive every day.
Workers are being prioritised because of the lengthy process.

Flights carrying supplies into Rangoon had been booked every day, he said.
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