Bangkok
16 May 2008
A United Nations agency says that as many as one million children may be at risk of disease following Cyclone Nargis. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, the concerns come as efforts continue to persuade Burma's military government to grant greater access to international relief agencies.
Steve Marshall, a spokesman for the U.N. country team in Burma, says that some aid is reaching the region, but it is insufficient. He says a much bigger international effort is needed.
"The issue of access in terms of our staff, as I've indicated, they are down there and they are working," said Marshall. "But the size of this for the government for the U.N. or for others actually requires a completely cooperative coordinated approach and it is too big for any one institution on its own to say it can look after things. It is simply too big."
Aid workers estimate that they have been able to reach less than a third of the storm's victims.
In the coming days, the U.N. humanitarian chief, John Holmes, will arrive in Rangoon to discuss relief efforts with the government. On Monday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet in Singapore to discuss how to increase aid to Burma, which is a member.