Cyclone appeal nets £5m in days

Humanitarian groups warn aid is not reaching victims fast enough

Almost £5m has been raised to help the victims of Burma's cyclone, three days after UK aid agencies launched an urgent joint appeal.

The Disasters Emergency Committee, which is overseeing the appeal, said the money would be spent on immediate relief and long-term reconstruction.

The British government has already pledged £5m in aid for survivors.

Burma's state media says 23,335 died in the disaster, but the UN fears the toll could be about 100,000.

An estimated 1.5 million people have been affected by the cyclone which struck on 3 May.

The Department for International Development said three members of its humanitarian team are due to arrive in Burma's capital Rangoon on Sunday.

Dfid said its donation was expected to be channelled through the UN, the Red Cross and NGOs.

UN convoy

The Burmese government has drawn international criticism for not allowing foreign aid and disaster experts into the country fast enough.

Partners are telling us there are outbreaks of disease already. There is no time to lose Ray Hasan Christian Aid UK agencies launch Burma appeal

Aid has started to trickle in, including a UN convoy with 22 tonnes of tents and other humanitarian supplies and four Red Cross planes which have delivered shelter equipment and family kits.

Others are due in the next few days.

But Ray Hasan, from Christian Aid, warned: "Supplies will run out unless more aid is allowed into the country.

"Partners are telling us there are outbreaks of disease already. There is no time to lose."

The Disasters Emergency Committee, which has 13 members including the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children, launches and co-ordinates responses to major disasters overseas.