ASEAN joins world efforts to assist Myanmar cyclone victims

Vietnam News 06/05/2008

Hanoi (VNA) – 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.

In the press release on May 5, the secretary-general said he believed Myanmar’s ASEAN neighbours are standing by ready to join the international effort to help the Government of Myanmar in whatever form was required.


So far, Singapore and the Philippines have sent experts to join the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team assembled in Bangkok over the weekend.

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry has donated 50,000 USD and its military has offered dried food and medicines to Myanmar, said sources from the Thai government on May 5.

Thailand is also dispatching a military transport aircraft to deliver nine-tonnes of relief supplies to victims in Myanmar, according to the Thai news agency (TNA). The special flight is expected to leave Bangkok for the cyclone-hit areas on May 6.

A group of European countries has pledged close to 5.8 million USD in support of the victims, including 1.96 million USD from Norway and 775,000 USD from the German Government. The European Commission alone has decided an emergency aid of 3 million USD to the victims.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has 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.

According to Myanmar's state media, last weekend's cyclone has killed some 15,000 people, including 10,000 living in the one town of Bogalay in Ayeyawaddy province. - Enditem

Source