Britons in Burma 'not in contact'

The cyclone has affected tens of thousands of people in Burma

Seventeen Britons in Burma are still unaccounted for after a cyclone hit the country, the Foreign Office (FCO) said.

The British nationals have not made contact, but the FCO said communication problems could be the reason, adding it had no reports of British casualties.

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander has outlined the UK's aid, including a pledge of up to £5m.

Burmese state media says the death toll has reached 22,980, and 42,119 missing, but there are warnings it could rise.

'Immediate and vast'

There are about 200 British nationals living in Burma, and some 7,500 UK tourists are believed to visit the country every year.

The British Embassy warned those living in the country that Saturday's cyclone was due to hit.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "At the moment we are aware of 17 British nationals that friends and family have not been able to make contact with.

"But we have had no reports of British casualties and we have no reports that they are in danger."

We have readied stockpiles of emergency supplies Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary

One of the people reported missing on Wednesday - Tom Bourden, from Eastbourne, Sussex - has made e-mail contact with his family to say he is safe.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Alexander gave further details of action the UK is taking to bring aid to Burma.

He said representations had been made to the Burmese government to allow access for aid, and that the UK government was working closely with aid agencies on the ground.

He added: "We have readied stockpiles of emergency supplies such as tents, water containers and blankets."

Mr Alexander also said emergency teams were ready and primed to leave for the country once they were issued with visas.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which is made up of a group of British aid agencies and charities, has launched an appeal for help.

It said the scale of the disaster meant the need for aid was "immediate and vast".

DEC, whose members include British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children, said the money would be spent on immediate relief efforts and also long-term reconstruction projects.