US Senate demands Burma admit cyclone aid
Updated
![Burma has been devastated by Cyclone Nargis, with the latest estimates suggesting more than 100,000 people may have died. [AFP]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/burma_cyclone_afp_080508.jpg "Burma has been devastated by Cyclone Nargis, with the latest estimates suggesting more than 100,000 people may have died. [AFP]")
Burma has been devastated by Cyclone Nargis, with the latest estimates suggesting more than 100,000 people may have died. [AFP]
The United States Senate has passed a resolution demanding that Burma's military rulers lift restrictions on delivery of foreign relief to help survivors of Cyclone Nargis.
The resolution was adopted unanimously, and urges Burma to allow "free and unfettered access" to American and other disaster aid response teams.
With the estimated death toll nearing 100,000 more than a million homeless Burmese are battling to stave off disease and hunger.
Burma has yet to accept millions of dollars worth of help offered by the European Union and the United States.
Some aid has trickled in from India and Thailand, while Greece says it's been given permission to send a military transport plane loaded with humanitarian aid.
But a plan announced earlier to allow a US military aircraft to ferry emergency aid into Rangoon is now not going ahead.
China urges Burma to accept help
Burma's closest ally China has urged the military junta to work with the international community.
"Because of the serious situation of disaster in Burma it is natural that international community expresses their concerns and willing to provide assistance," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a press briefing.
"We hope Burma will cooperate with the international community, will have consultations with the international community, and we hope Burma will overcome the disaster at an early date."
United Nations aid arrives in Burma
The first United Nations relief flight arrived in Burma on Thursday.
The ABC's Peter Lloyd reports from Bangkok that the plane, carrying supplies for the World Food Program, touched down in Rangoon carrying tents, tarpaulins and basic medicines.
The United Nations has announced a $US10 million cash payment to Burma's military government to help it feed and shelter survivors.
In another development, four experts from the disaster assessment and coordination team have arrived in the country to help co-ordinate the disaster response.
