Yangon: Authorities and aid workers in Myanmar on Monday struggled to assess the damage from a cyclone that killed more than 350 people and left thousands homeless.
State media said 20,000 homes were destroyed after Cyclone Nargis slammed Irrawaddy delta on Saturday. On the island of Haingyi, some 90,000 people were left homeless.
In Yangon, 19 people were reported dead, with 222 more killed in the delta. The death toll is likely to climb as authorities slowly make contact with islands and villages.
"The government is having as much trouble as anyone else in getting a full overview. Roads are not accessible and many small villages were hit and will take time to reach," said Terje Skavdal, regional head of UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Teams of foreign aid workers were trying to assess the damage and aid needs, but their access and movements are restricted by the military.
"That is the existing situation for international staff. The way most agencies work is they use national staff who have more freedom to move," Skavdal said.
United Nations disaster experts were due to meet in neighbouring Thailand later on Monday to assess Myanmar's needs and how best to respond.
Source
No comments:
Post a Comment