U.S. Delivers More Relief Supplies To Myanmar After Junta's Go-Signal

Thu, 15 May 2008 01:02:49 +0000
Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The U.S. flew in more relief supplies to cyclone-devastated Myanmar on Wednesday, bringing to 100 tons the emergency provisions it delivered there since Monday.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters the latest delivery consisted of five plane loads of water, food, blankets and other relief supplies. Whitman said he believes that nongovernmental relief agencies in Myanmar are distributing the U.S.-provided supplies because the military rulers there are reluctant to allow foreign aid workers into the country.

The spokesman said a number of U.S. military aircraft laden with additional supplies are on standby at Utapao, Thailand, awaiting the junta's permission to let the planes land in Myanmar.

Helicopters are also available aboard the USS Essex and other U.S. Navy ships in the Bay of Bengal near Myanmar, he said.

An estimated 30,000 people died and hundreds of thousands more lost their homes when Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on May 2.

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