Myanmar

International aid workers authorised - UN chief

Article published on the 2008-05-23 Latest update 2008-05-23 13:55 TU

Ban Ki-moon visits cyclone survivors
Photo: Reuters

Following meetings with Myanmar government leaders, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has announced that all foreign aid workers are to be allowed access to areas hit by cyclone Nargis. Ban said the decision was a breakthrough. International agencies insist that workers with experience of previous disasters are vital to help the thousands affected by the storm.

Ban met with Myanmar's reclusive junta leader, Than Shwe, on Friday in an attempt to persuade the leader to allow foreign aid into the country. Following a meeting of more than two hours, Ban told reporters "He has agreed to allow all aid workers regardless of nationalities".

Than Shwe also agreed to allow Yangon airport to be used as an international hub for for aid distribution, Ban said.

Aung Zaw, the editor of Irrawaddy magazine which is published in neighbouring Thailand, is suspicious as to whether the promise will be fulfilled.

"You could be cautiously optimistic but I think there’s still a long way to go," he says. "The problem is people are running out and people are dying and we haven’t even had any full major relief operation, let alone rescue or search and rescue mission."

The junta leader met Ban in the capital, Naypyidaw, on Friday. The general had previously refused to take Ban's phone calls following the cyclone, which left 133,000 people dead or missing.

The UN leader held closed-door talks with Gen Than after taking a tour of the Irrawaddy Delta disaster zone.

Ban had said on Thursday that he was bringing a "message of hope" for Myanmar on Thursday, during the helicopter tour of parts of the cyclone area.