Indian ships to carry relief for Myanmar cyclone victims

New Delhi, May: India has announced the immediate relief for the victims of the devastating cyclone that has killed over 10,000 people and left about twenty thousand homeless.

"In keeping with India's historical, close and good neighbourly ties with the friendly people of Myanmar, the Government of India is providing immediate relief assistance to Myanmar," Navtej Sarna, spokesperson of Ministry for External Affairs told reporters. "Two Indian naval ships from Port Blair with relief and medical supplies will sail immediately to Yangon carrying food items, tents, blankets, clothing, medicines. We are also considering further medical relief and medical supplies including by air," he added. Meanwhile, India has also sent messages of condolence to the regime of Myanmar. "Government of Myanmar has now estimated the death toll to be in thousands and the damage to be more extensive than was feared earlier. Messages of condolence have been sent firstly by the President and the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister," added Sarna.

The United Nations (UN) is also rushing in emergency aid such as food, clean water, blankets and plastic sheeting.

UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon said: "I am very saddened by all the Myanmese people having been struck by this cyclone. The UN will do whatever to provide urgent humanitarian assistance".

The European Commission has reportedly announced emergency relief of two million euros for victims. Japan is to give 28 million Yen in emergency aid.

According to Myanmar state media about 20,000 homes were destroyed on a island alone after Cyclone Nargis, a Category 3 storm packing winds of 190 km (120 mile) per hour, ripped through Myanmar's Irrawaddy delta on Saturday.

In Yangon, many roofs were ripped off even sturdy buildings, suggesting damage would be severe in the shanty towns that lie on the outskirts of the city of five million people.

Damage to crops in the Irrawaddy delta and Bago division, the main rice-producing regions could have potentially serious effects for food supply at a time when global supplies are short.

Shunned by the West for its detention of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and dismal human rights record, Myanmar has been the target of Western sanctions for years.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, cyclone Nargis had weakened as it moved into western and northern parts of the country on Monday, where there were no reports of damage or casualties.

ANI