Delegation flies to Burma to open flow of aid

11/05/2008 18:53:35

A top level delegation from Thailand will fly to Burma's administrative capital Naypyidaw on Sunday in an attempt to persuade the ruling generals to allow the free flow of aid and emergency personnel into cyclone devastated areas.

Peter Cave reports the delegation will be led by the former Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and senior military officials.

"An estimated 1.5 million people are in desperate need following last weekend's cyclone in Burma but the ruling junta has allowed only a handful of planes and a few trucks to enter the country with relief supplies. The regime insists that it will distribute the aid and has blocked most agencies from bringing in specialist personnel and heavy lift helicopters. Thailand's Foreign Ministry says today's mission aims to try to convince the Burmese junta to change its mind."

Australia boosts aid
Australia's government is boosting its aid to cyclone ravaged Burma to a total of 25-million-dollars.

The Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says it's clear the tragedy is on a mammoth scale and beyond the capacity of any one nation to deal with.

Mr Smith says Australia has also been working hard behind the scenes to convince Burmese officials and other countries in the region of the urgency of getting aid into the worst affected areas.

He says the threat of disease is one of the biggest concerns at this stage.

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