Queen gives money to Burma appeal

The first aid flight from the US has now arrived in Burma

The Queen has made a "significant personal donation" to help the victims of the Burmese cyclone, Buckingham Palace has said.

The undisclosed amount is thought to have gone to the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal, which has so far raised £5m.

News of the royal donation came as the UK's first aid flight left Dubai for the Burmese capital Rangoon.

Gordon Brown has said aid agencies must have "unfettered access" to survivors.

Burma's ruling military junta has stopped some foreign aid workers crossing its borders, despite fears that 1.5m people could die in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis because of disease and hunger.

'Making a difference'

On Monday, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander appealed to Britons to keep giving money despite fears it might not reach those most in need.

He said donations were "already making a difference" thanks to UK charities, many of whom come under the DEC's umbrella.

Need in Burma is said to be "immediate and vast"

Brendan Gormley, DEC chief executive, said Burmese people desperately needed clean water, food and medical supplies.

"We can't let these people down and we're relying on the generous support of the British public to help us continue this life-saving work," he said.

The official death toll in Burma has risen to almost 32,000, but aid agencies fear many more could die if help does not come.

The UN is seeking $187m (£96m) to provide basic supplies for the victims.

The UK's first aid flight to Burma contains plastic sheets meant to provide shelter for more than 9,000 families. Four more planeloads of aid are on standby.

On Monday, the first US aid flight landed in Burma, as did the first from medical relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres.