Appeal to Asean to Help Cyclone-Hit Myanmar

SINGAPORE, May 7 Asia Pulse - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) secretary-general Dr Surin Pitsuwan has made an urgent appeal to member countries to help cyclone-hit Myanmar which is reeling from the unprecedented disaster.

Reports trickling in have shown the cyclone which struck the reclusive ASEAN member state last Friday, has turned out to be a major disaster.

Surin said Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win had asked for help as the extent of damage caused by cyclone 'Nargis' on Myanmar was very extensive.

He said the latest news reports revealed that the death toll caused by the cyclone had reached over 10,000 people and the number was rising.

Speaking to reporters on the sideline of a local event here Tuesday, Surin said now would be the right time for ASEAN member countries to activate the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response which was drafted after the tsunami tragedy in 2004, and that they all signed it six months later.

He said the ASEAN Secretariat, in coordination with the interim ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management in Jakarta was standing by to coordinate all relief and assistance efforts.

Surin said the Thai government and several United Nations agencies had met in Bangkok to send teams into Myanmar to assess the extent of damage to prepare for the necessary assistance to cyclone victims.

He added there were already bilateral and regional efforts to coordinate international relief help to bring in quick, effective and adequate assistance into Myanmar.

Surin expressed ASEAN's profound sympathy and condolences to the Myanmar government and the families of the victims.

It was reported that 'Cyclone Nargis' had wreaked havoc on Yangon, Myanmar's capital city and the old government seat of the Myanmar military junta before it moved north to Nay Pyi Taw and made it the new administrative capital.

The cyclone also hit the Ayeyawady delta and coastal areas of the farming and mineral-rich but poorly-developed nation.

Surin also said it was important now for ASEAN to have its own response team that was always prepared and ready to deliver help and assistance to its members for any natural calamities.

He said that he had extensive talks with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei who had shown keen interest on the matter, adding that as an initial step it would be necessary for ASEAN to set up a food stockpile, especially rice that could be used in an emergency food relief assistance.

(BERNAMA-OANA)