![Holmes hopes to appeal to the military government to be more open to assistance [AFP]](http://mwcnews.net/images/stories/UN/1/2/3/Holmes.jpg "Holmes hopes to appeal to the military government to be more open to assistance [AFP]") | | Holmes hopes to appeal to the military government to be more open to assistance [AFP] |
John Holmes, the UN's undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, is waiting to have his visa approved by Myanmar to talk to the government there.
Michele Montas, a UN spokeswoman, said on Thursday that Holmes applied for a visa on Wednesday.
She said that Holmes hopes to visit Myanmar within a week.
The application was made so Holmes could ask the military government to open the country up to foreign aid and expertise.
Hundreds of thousands of people are awaiting aid after Cyclone Nargis tore through the country almost two weeks ago leaving them without shelter, drinking water and food.
Aid and assistance has been prevented from entering Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, by the government. The generals who control the military government are highly reclusive and suspicious of outside interference in their country. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has said that between 68,833 and 127,990 people have died as a result of the cyclone. 'Humanity' The UN is concerned that if more aid is not allowed to reach those in need many more people may die from disease and starvation. About 2.5 million people are said to be in need of assistance after the cyclone hit on May 2. The majority are without housing or food. France and Britain announced on Thursday that they would be sending emergency supplies to Myanmar. 'Clock is ticking' A French official said that an aircraft with 40 tonnes of food rations and other aid had landed in Yangon, the former capital, on Thursday. A navy ship was also being sent with aid, but it was not clear whether it would be granted access to the country.The UK promised $23.43m to add to a fund of $10m announced last week. Douglas Alexander, the British secretary of state for international development, said: "The key priority is to deliver humanitarian aid as quickly as possible. The clock is ticking. "I reiterate our call on the Burmese authorities to grant full and unfettered access for international assistance." The government had controlled the distribution of aid within the country. However, Action Contre la Faim (ACF), a Paris-based aid group, said they they have been authorised to fly in and distribute aid on Thursday.
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