UN says 1.5 million impacted by cyclone in Myanmar

09/05/2008 -- 4:34 PM

Hanoi (VNA) - An estimated 1.5 million people in Myanmar have been impacted by the devastating cyclone that wreaked havoc in the country over the weekend, according to the United Nations. ''We estimate that number at about 1.5 million people severely affected by the disaster and there is a real danger that an even worse tragedy may unfold if we cannot get the aid that is desperately needed in quickly,'' UN humanitarian chief John Holmes was quoted by foreign media as saying. Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon pledged full assistance to the Myanmese people. The UN and aid agencies are rushing to prepare relief for the victims and to supplement the efforts of the Myanmar government in responding to this disaster. Secretary-General of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Surin Pitsuwan has called on all member states to provide urgent relief assistance to victims of cyclone Nargis in Yangon, the Ayeyawady delta and coastal areas of Myanmar late last week. The official death toll has risen to more than 23,000, with 42,000 still missing after the powerful cyclone hit Myanmar's southwest, particularly the Ayerawaddy River delta region, according to news reports.-Enditem
Send this page	Print

International donors help Cambodia fight bird flu (09/05/2008)

Arabian lender buys stake in Malaysia’s bank (09/05/2008)

Cobra Gold 2008 exercise begins in Thailand (08/05/2008)

ASEAN labour ministers meet in Thailand (08/05/2008)

Thailand to sell 500,000 tonnes of rice to Malaysia (08/05/2008)

Cambodia, Thailand progress on border temple issue (08/05/2008)

Malaysia willing assist in Philippines’ peace process (08/05/2008)

Landslide in Indonesia claims at least 19 lives (08/05/2008)

Thai Air Force chief denies military coup planned (08/05/2008)

Cambodia to slash inflation to single-digit (07/05/2008)