PM pledges aid for Burma victims
Gordon Brown has pledged that Britain will help the survivors of a cyclone which struck southern Burma on Saturday killing more than 22,000 people.
Speaking at a conference in London, the prime minister said nearly a million people need food. He promised to help the families of the victims.
International aid agencies are pushing to gain access to the area for a massive relief operation.
Some UK aid agencies have begun distributing aid packages.
Save the Children aims to provide 20,000 families with food supplies, water purification kits, plastic sheeting, kitchen equipment and rehydration salts.
'Stretched to the limit'
Shelterbox, a Cornwall-based charity, is sending 200 tents to provide shelter for 2,000 people, with another 600 expected to be sent over in the next few days.
Gordon Brown told the international business conference that he was speaking on behalf of the British people in offering sympathy to all those suffering as a result of the cyclone.
He said: "I want to pledge on behalf of the British government that we will work with the whole international community to make sure that the food aid and the other support that is necessary is available to the people of Burma."
Save the Children has had a presence in the military-ruled country for 13 years, making it easier for it to mobilise support than other charities.
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They're seeing scrambles over people trying to access water, nails, even candles
 Dan Collinson, programme manager for Save the Children
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A spokeswoman for the charity said those who lost their homes in the disaster were gathering in schools, monasteries, churches and mosques and there were concerns over soaring food and fuel prices.
Dan Collinson, programme manager for Save the Children in South East Asia, said his relief teams had already reported that resources were stretched to the limit.
"People living in shelters, over 1,000 people per shelter, these are sheltering in pagodas and schools and churches, they're seeing scrambles over people trying to access water, nails, even candles are just disappearing off the market very, very quickly."
Shelterbox said 200 boxes which include a 10-man tent, blankets and water carriers were on their way to the country.
Tom Henderson, the charity's chief executive, said a team of four workers were flying out on Tuesday to distribute the packages and he was confident they would be allowed access.
"We have operated in North Korea and Lebanon and are well used to working hard to get this done," he said.
Courtesy of BBC News - Orignal BBC Story