International relief agencies estimate that around 1.5 million people are at severe risk in Myanmar as a result of Cyclone Nargis.

Myanmar response "unacceptably slow"

Secretary-General Ban called on the government of Myanmar to do everything it could to prevent the humanitarian disaster from becoming even more serious.

"I want to register my deep concern - and immense frustration - at the unacceptably slow response to this grave humanitarian crisis," Mr. Ban said at a press conference in New York. "Unless more aid gets into the country (Myanmar) - very quickly - we face an outbreak of infectious diseases that could dwarf today's crisis," he added. "I therefore call, in the most strenuous terms, on the government of Myanmar to put its people's lives first. It must do all that it can to prevent the disaster from becoming even more serious."

UN has called on the government of Myanmar to allow aid workers to enter the country more rapidly and said that some international relief supplies were being held up at Myanmar's main airport.

While the UN and international aid agencies were "well positioned" to help tackle the emergency, Mr. Ban said that staff on the ground "were grievously overstretched and the government (of Myanmar) continues to deny visas to most foreign aid workers."

The UN launched a flash appeal asking for $187 to provide urgently needed relief through key UN and other aid agencies. Mr. Ban added that the UN was planning to set up a logistics base in the area, probably in Thailand, to make sure that aid would be "channeled into Myanmar in a systematic and orderly way."

Speaking about his appeal for a speedier response, Mr. Ban said, "I emphasize that this is not about politics. It is about saving people's lives. There is absolutely no time to lose."

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes said that an increasing number of flights delivering aid were now entering the country, and other relief had begun arriving by sea and land. He said that 34 new visas were now being granted for UN international relief workers, but he added that, while this was welcome, it was "clearly nothing like enough for the scale of the problem we're trying to deal with."

Despite the difficulties, UN agencies report that they have been active on the ground and have been able to reach a third of the people at risk - about 270,000 people.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) says it has begun setting up "child-friendly spaces" in camps where people are sheltering, to ensure that children receive care and protection.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is using boats and vehicles to provide immediate assistance to people in 19 locations in the affected area.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has reached 27,000 people in the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) delta region with crucial food supplies and the World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed experts to support government relief efforts and to supply emergency health kits.

Meanwhile 20 tons of shelter supplies including plastic sheets and tents arrived in Yangon on two trucks sent from the Thai-Myanmar border by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Cyclone Nargis, which made landfall in the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) delta region, caused widespread destruction, including destroying homes, tearing down trees and power lines and damaging communications.

Earthquake hits China

Secretary-General Ban also pledged the UN's support in any humanitarian efforts following an earthquake that struck southwestern China.

"We do not yet know the extent of the tragedy," Mr. Ban told journalists at a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York. "But you have seen the reports of the hundreds of students trapped at a local university, and potentially many others are dead. My thoughts are very much with them and their families."

In a separate statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction of property, and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.

"The United Nations stands ready to support the government of China in its efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs caused by the disaster," the statement added.

Media reports said the earthquake, measuring about 7.8 on the Richter scale, was centered in Sichuan Province and struck early in the afternoon local time. Local authorities have reported that thousands of people are dead and the toll is expected to keep rising.

The gathering centered on creating a comprehensive plan to tackle the soaring food prices. This strategy will encompass both short and longer-term measures - including food aid and social protection - to alleviate the impact of the crisis on those hardest hit.

The elements of the task force's plan will be presented at next month's high-level meeting in Rome hosted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on global food security.

 

 

A young student attends one of the thousands of community-based schools in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to make formal education accessible to children.

© UN Photo/Roger Lemoyne

Learn more...