Burma aid blockage "unacceptable"

9 May 2008

The blocking of aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma is "utterly unacceptable", the Prime Minister said earlier today.

Hundreds of thousands of people are now at risk of famine and disease in the wake of the disaster.

The ruling military junta in Burma is being urged to allow foreign aid workers into the country to help assist the relief effort, but have so far refused. Instead, the regime has indicated that the government would distribute the aid itself.

Speaking on his visit to the South West the PM said:

"There are people suffering in Burma, there are children going without food, there are people without shelter.

"It is utterly unacceptable that, when international aid is offered, the regime will try to prevent that getting in.

"And I'm determined to work with the rest of the international community to make sure that people in need of help, people who face a long and terrible time ahead because of the loss of their homes, and because there is famine, get all the help they need, and we will be working with the United Nations and other countries to make sure that that happens."

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