Cyclone Survivors Face Another Disaster
Updated:21:12, Sunday May 11, 2008

Humanitarian agencies are warning up to 1.5 million people could die if aid does not get through soon and disease takes hold in cyclone-ravaged Burma.

Cyclone survivors arrive at relief centreOxfam has warned of the real risk of a catastrophe, calling it "a perfect storm".

"It's really crucial that people get access to clean water sources and sanitation to avoid unnecessary deaths and suffering," said Oxfam regional chief Sarah Ireland in Bangkok, in neighbouring Thailand.

"There are all the factors for a public health catastrophe which could multiply that death toll by up to 15 times," she said.

Thailand's foreign minister Noppadon Pattama has told Sky News he is to meet his Burmese counterpart in Rangoon on Tuesday to discuss ways of getting aid into the country.

Speaking to Sky's Stuart Ramsay he said he believed that critical comments about the Burmese military regime from President Bush and other western leaders in the aftermath of the cyclone has held up the international rescue effort.

Mr Pattama said: "We have to talk to (the Burmese authorities) and see if they can change their position.