Conference offers aid to Myanmar cyclone victims

Yangon: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is hopeful "a turning point" had been reached in tackling Myanmar's cyclone crisis as an international conference convened on Sunday to pledge funds for some 2.4 million survivors in need of aid.

The one-day, 52-nation conference began on a note of optimism following promises by the ruling junta that foreign aid workers could enter the most devastated areas from which they have been banned since the cyclone struck three weeks ago. "I hope this marks a turning point in tackling the challenges facing this country," Ban told some 500 delegates as the conference convened with a minute of silence for the dead.

Welcome

But he said international relief workers and medical teams from neighbouring countries must have "unhindered access to the areas hardest hit by the disaster". Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Sein, shedding his military uniform for the sarong-like longyi and traditional jacket, said international aid "with no strings attached" was welcome but only civilian vessels could take part in the aid operation.

"Relief supplies can be transported by land, air or sea. But if relief supplies have to be transported by water, civilian vessels can come in through Yangon port," he said.

US, British and French warships, loaded with humanitarian supplies, have been cruising off Myanmar's coast. But last week, state-media said they would not be allowed into the country, citing fears of an American invasion to snatch the country's oil supplies.

Thein Sein, saying that 3,200 tons of humanitarian supplies have already been delivered from abroad, presented a long list of urgent needs, including temporary shelters, rice seeds, fertiliser, fishing boats and new salt factories.