Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 12, 2008

US Delivers First Batch of Relief Supplies to Burma Cyclone Victims; Death Toll Rises 
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Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft lands in Rangoon, in what Washington hopes is start of larger effort to help cyclone victims 
The United States has delivered its first load of relief supplies earmarked for victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma.  The U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft landed in Burma's main city, Rangoon, in what Washington hopes is the start of a larger effort to help cyclone victims.  The Burmese government now says more than 28,400 are confirmed dead and more than 33,000 remain missing. VOA Southeast Asia Correspondent Luis Ramirez reports from Utapao, Thailand. 







US personnel unloads aid shipment to Burma, 12 May 2008The U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft left this Thai air force base loaded with pallets of bottled water, mosquito netting, and blankets - the first shipment that Burma's military government has allowed the United States to deliver. 

Among those accompanying the shipment on the unarmed aircraft was the top commander of U.S. naval forces in the Pacific, Admiral Timothy Keating.  He told reporters he was carrying a letter to the Burmese generals offering the help of U.S. military ships, helicopters, and airplanes that could deliver nearly 91,000 kilograms of relief goods each day.







The remains of a home in Laputta township in the Irrawaddy Delta of Burma"Our focus is to provide assistance to the people of Burma when we receive the permission of Burmese authorities," he explained.  "The men and women who'll be flying these airplanes and helicopters are well trained. We will also bring very competent medical personnel and state of the art medical facilities, when we get permission. Three United States ships are approaching the southwest coast of Burma. They will remain in international water and can provide even more rotary wing airlift to the people of Burma."

Monday's airlift carried goods to help 30,000 people.  Henrietta Fore, the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, - also on the flight - said she and Admiral Keating traveled thousands of kilometers to southeast Asia to reach out to the Burmese government.  She said the airlift and their visit is aimed at improving relations in the hope that the Burmese leadership will start letting more aid in to those who desperately need it. 







Henrietta Fore greets Burmese official, as US Aid shipment arrives, 12 May 2008"It does have both components in it:  both diplomacy as well as aid.  This is a humanitarian mission," she noted. "This is what we are focusing on.  So, we do carry as you know a good number of very important commodities and relief supplies, but we also want to talk with our counterparts and see what more can be done in the days and weeks to come and that this could be the beginning of a very good relationship between the United States and international relief and the Burmese authorities."

The United States has pledged more than $3.2 million to relief efforts in Burma.  U.S. officials hoped to send another two C-130 aircraft loaded with supplies on Tuesday, and were awaiting permission to unload supplies aboard three U.S. Navy vessels approaching the Burmese coast. 







Cyclone damage in Laputta township in the Irrawaddy Delta of BurmaInternational aid agencies on Monday kept up their calls for the Burmese government to issue visas to relief workers and allow more aid to go in as millions face hunger and disease.  

The World Food Program says it is able to meet only 20 percent of the needs of the storm survivors who are going hungry.  At the same time, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization said the price of rice increased 50 percent in Burma's markets since the cyclone hit. 

Aid agencies are also warning that deteriorating sanitary conditions and the spread of disease could kill millions.  Their call was made more urgent by forecasts of heavy rain later in the week in the hard-hit areas of Burma's Irawaddy Delta.   

Burma's reclusive military government has been accepting small quantities of aid, but has been reluctant to admit large numbers of western relief workers.  





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