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Yangon: The UN said Myanmar faces a catastrophe of monumental proportions unless relief efforts reach the scale of the Indian Ocean tsunami, as soldiers barred foreign aid workers from reaching cyclone survivors in hard-hit areas.
Meanwhile, some victims were reportedly getting spoiled or poor-quality food, rather than nutrition-rich biscuits sent by international donors, adding to suspicions that the junta could be misappropriating foreign aid following the May 3 storm that killed more than 34,000 people.
The military, which has ruled with an iron fist since 1962, has taken control of most supplies sent by other countries, including the United States, which made its first aid delivery on Monday and sent in another cargo plane Tuesday packed with blankets, water and mosquito nettings. A third shipment was on its way.
Myanmar's navy commander in chief, Rear Admiral Soe Thein, told Admiral Timothy J. Keating, commander of the US Pacific forces, that basic needs of the storm victims were being fulfilled and "skilful humanitarian workers are not necessary," according to state television.
Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman for the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, said, "We fear a second catastrophe (in Myanmar) unless we're able to put in place quickly a maximum of aid and a major logistical effort comparable with the response to the tsunami."
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