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SINGAPORE - Singapore said Tuesday it will give US$200,000 worth of aid to Myanmar after a cyclone devastated the military-ruled nation, killing 15,000.
The assistance includes medical supplies, drinking water, water purifying tablets, tents, groundsheets, blankets, sleeping bags and emergency food, the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.
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"I am deeply saddened to learn about the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Nargis over the weekend," Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo said in a letter to his Myanmar counterpart, Nyan Win.
The letter, dated Monday, was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"My heart goes out to the people of Myanmar who have been affected by the tragedy," Mr Yeo said. "If there is any way Singapore can help, please do not hesitate to let us know."
Singapore is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian nations, of which Myanmar is a member. ASEAN's secretary general, Surin Pitsuwan, on Tuesday appealed for "generous" international aid for the country.
The government of the secretive and impoverished country normally scorns foreign assistance, but Nyan Win said it would welcome help, prompting the United Nations and countries around the globe to pledge millions of dollars in aid.
The New Light of Myanmar newspaper said more than 15,000 people have been killed in the cyclone - 10,000 in the town of Bogalay alone. - AFP/ir
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