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BANGKOK: United Nations officials said they are encouraged by signs that Myanmar's military government is beginning to allow a trickle of foreign aid workers into parts of the country worst hit by Cyclone Nargis.
At Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport, a UN plane stands ready to take relief supplies to victims of Cyclone Nargis. Although 40 percent of the 2.4 million people affected have received some kind of assistance, officials said it is not nearly enough.
However, slight changes in Myanmar's policy may be a reason to hope. Over the weekend, Myanmar's generals stated that aid workers would have access to the worst-hit areas soon and UN officials shared a cautious optimism on Tuesday as more of their staff were allowed in.
Richard Horsey, United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said: "International aid workers have started (travelling), yesterday and over the weekend, into the delta and other affected areas. Clearly, it's early days and we should be cautious about drawing any conclusions. But the initial indications are encouraging."
Aid organisations have highlighted challenges that have made the response to Cyclone Nargis painfully slow.
Paul Risley, World Food Programme, said: "Every step of the way has been very difficult; every step of the way has required agreement with the government, clearance from the government and approval from the government."
ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan has announced the formation of a tripartite taskforce made up of UN, ASEAN and Myanmar government representatives, who will issue an assessment on June 12.
The aim is to build trust with donor nations and have a full-scale recovery plan moving forward.
Calling for patience, Dr Surin said: "We are not naive to believe that a policy guideline given at the top will be translated into practice at all levels going into the delta..."
At Sunday's donor conference, the international community signalled its willingness to pledge tens of millions of US dollars in humanitarian aid to Myanmar.
The first task is a crucial assessment of conditions on the ground and only then can full-scale relief and rescue operations begin.
- CNA/so
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