UN chief says Burma `critical`

UN chief says Burma `critical`	21.05.2008
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has warned of a "critical" point for Burma, saying international humanitarian aid has reached only a quarter of cyclone victims. "This is a critical moment for Myanmar (Burma). We have a functioning relief program in place but so far we have been able to reach only about 25 per cent of Burma`s people in need," Ban told reporters at the United Nations. Ban spoke before leaving for Burma, where he is due to arrive early Thursday following a stop in Thailand, in a bid to boost international relief efforts in the cyclone-ravaged country. "My aim in going to Burma is to first of all demonstrate my sympathy to the people and government at this time of crisis and challenge, and to see for myself the situation on the ground, particularly in areas most affected by the disaster, unprecedented in Burma`s history," Ban said. "My role and the role of the United Nations, working closely with ASEAN and the government of Burma, will be to ensure that all these efforts are well coordinated and as effective as they can be under these difficult circumstances." Ban said he hoped to meet with Senior General Than Shwe and other top government officials. But Ban has failed so far to get the reclusive junta leader even to take his telephone calls. "I will do my utmost for the people of Burma," the UN chief said. Burma began three days of mourning today for 133,000 people dead or missing from Cyclone Nargis, which hit May 3. With two million survivors still desperate for help, global pressure is mounting on the regime to do more for the storm victims. Burma agreed at regional talks Monday in Singapore to allow neighboring countries to coordinate an international relief effort. But doubts emerged over how effective any relief effort would be, since the junta has refused to allow in foreign aid workers in anything like the numbers needed, despite warnings that people could die without help. The United Nations, which estimates that only 500,000 of the 2.4 million affected by the storm are receiving aid, is making a top-level diplomatic effort to press the regime to open up the country. Noting some progress in that regard, Ban said the junta has now authorised the World Food Program to begin deliveries with nine helicopters. Ban was set to visit the hardest-hit regions of Burma on Thursday ahead of weekend fund-raising talks in Rangoon. Share this article Digg this Post to del.icio.us Post to Newsvine Post to Facebook Add to kwoff
Share this article:

05/21/2008		Protest planned against Dalai Lama
A BUDDHIST group has announced plans to picket public appearances in Britain by the Dalai Lama, accusing him of restricting religious freedoms in his homeland and among exiled Tibetans

05/21/2008		Maradona slams `undignified` Pele
SOCCER legend Diego Maradona, notorious for his drug-taking, has warned fellow icon Pele to stop criticising him because he too had a "dark side" and had done things he wants kept secret

05/21/2008		English fans descend on Moscow
FANS descending on Moscow ahead of tomorrow`s all-English Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester United have so far been well-behaved, local police said today

05/21/2008		UK MPs vote on abortion law
BRITISH MPs are preparing to vote on lowering the time limit for women to terminate a pregnancy, in what would be the first major change to abortion laws here in nearly 20 years

Sophie Monk, Heather Mills, Evangeline Lilly and more

Showbuzz ... catch up on all the goss on Sophie Monk`s new man, Livinia Nixon`s split and Evangeline Lilly`s rekindled romance, plus find out why divorcee Heather Mills is seeing red yet again.

Sophie Monk, Heather Mills, Evangeline Lilly and more 04/07/2008


	08. 2008

Categories:

Entertaiment News

Hi-tech & Science

Global: