UN says Burma's cyclone response 'disappointing'

Burma has been devastated by Cyclone Nargis, with the latest estimates suggesting more than 100,000 people may have died. [AFP]

More Burma Stories:

• UN aid flights arrive in Burma
• US Senate demands Burma admit cyclone aid
• EU says UN action on Burma impossible

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has requested a meeting with Burma's senior general Than Shwe over getting more aid to the country's cyclone survivors.

Nearly a week after Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma's delta region, UN humanitarian affairs director John Holmes says the situation on the ground is increasingly desperate.

Up to 100,000 people are believed to have died, and around one and a half million people are in desperate need of food and water.

Mr Holmes says two UN disaster assessment experts have been allowed into Burma, but two others have been held up without reason, and another 40 visa applications from UN aid workers are still pending.

Mr Holmes say four World Food Program flights have reached Burma, while emergency supplies have also begun arriving from India, Thailand and China.

But he says the lack of progress in getting millions of dollars of promised aid into the country is disappointing.

"We are in close touch with the Myanmar authorities to keep on pressing hard for more cooperation, for more facilitation, for much greater ease of access, if possible for waiver of visas and other requirements for the expert staff who are needed to help the distribution," he said.

EU says Security Council action "impossible"

The European Union executive has dismissed a French suggestion that Burma could be forced to accept international aid for cyclone survivors.

On Wednesday the French foreign minister said Paris was considering pursuing a UN Security Council resolution that would allow aid agencies into Burma without government approval.

But an EU Commission spokesman says it is not possible to force the entry of aid into Burma.

He says diplomatic efforts are the best means of convincing Rangoon to allow humanitarian agencies to provide help.

US considers food air-drops

The US says it is still waiting for permission to fly aid to Burma, and US disaster response groups say Washington is considering air drops to get food into the country.

On Thursday the US Senate passed a resolution demanding that Burma's military rulers lift restrictions on delivery of foreign relief.

The resolution was adopted unanimously, and urged Burma to allow "free and unfettered access" to American and other disaster aid response teams.

China urges Burma to accept help

Burma's closest ally China has urged the military junta to work with the international community.

"Because of the serious situation of disaster in Burma it is natural that international community expresses their concerns and willing to provide assistance," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a press briefing.

"We hope Burma will cooperate with the international community, will have consultations with the international community, and we hope Burma will overcome the disaster at an early date."

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