Weekly update: May 16 - 22

May 16

Myanmar announces that 92.4 % have voted "yes" in a referendum where the turnout was 99%. Those in the Irawaddy region hit by Cyclone Nargis will only vote on 24 May but the high approval percentage renders their votes useless.


May 17

60 UN officials and foreign diplomats have been flown to three places in the affected Irawaddy region.

A French navy ship loaded with food, clean water and medication is not given permission to dock. However a Thai medical team of 32 and an Indian team of 50 have been allowed into Myanmar to help with relief efforts.

The official death toll is revised to just under 78,000.


May 18

16 days after the Cyclone struck, Myanmar's leader General Than Shwe visit the victims at refugee camp in Yangon. This is believed to be his first time he has seen the victims since the cyclone hit.

UN humanitarian envoy John Holmes meets with Myanmar's military leaders, bearing a letter from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. General Than Shwe is reported to have not replied to the UN chief's prior two letters or answered his calls.

Save the Children, a UK-based charity warns that 30,000 severely malnourished children under the age of 5 could be starve to death within weeks.


May 19

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) announce after their meeting that Myanmar will agree to accept aid channelled through fellow ASEAN member countries. These include, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Myanmar declares three days of mourning for cyclone victims.

The World Bank states that it cannot send financial aid to Myanmar because of the country's unpaid debts.


May 20

Myanmar allows nine UN helicopters to fly into affected areas. They will be able to reach the as-yet inaccessible areas cut off by flooding.


May 21

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon arrives in Myanmar for talks with its leadership, including General Than Shwe.