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SINGAPORE: Singapore is ready to despatch Disaster Assistance Rescue Teams (DARTS) and medical doctors to Myanmar if necessary.
The offer comes from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his letter to his Myanmar counterpart, General Thein Sein.
Mr Lee said Singapore will also contribute a US$200,000 humanitarian assistance package to help the people of Myanmar tide over this difficult period.
The prime minister wrote that he was "shocked and saddened to learn of the great loss of lives and extensive damage" after Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar over the weekend.
On behalf of the people of Singapore, Mr Lee extends "condolences to the families and friends of the victims, with the hope that they will find strength to recover from their grief and loss".
Cyclone Nargis has killed more than 22,000 people in Myanmar and at least 41,000 people are still missing.
In Singapore, Myanmar nationals are still turning up at the Myanmar Embassy to vote on the constitutional referendum, even though some reports have said that the referendum has been postponed in some storm-hit areas.
Myanmar Embassy officials said the fax line to the country's capital, Nay Pyi Taw, was only restored on Tuesday evening. They also expressed their gratitude for the assistance offered by Singapore and said all donations of medicine, clothing and food are welcomed.
Win Myint, Myanmar Ambassador to Singapore, said: "Our government is highly appreciative of the Singapore government. Many thanks to the Singapore people too – so many Singaporeans have offered assistance."
Disaster relief agencies like World Vision Singapore, the Singapore Red Cross and Mercy Relief are preparing to send medical and relief supplies to disaster-hit areas in Myanmar.
The Parkway Group Healthcare is also ready to chip in – they are waiting for Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry to give them the go-ahead to send aid and medical personnel.
- CNA/so
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