Asian nations have lined up to help the victims of the devastating cyclone in Myanmar, as the first batch of aid materials was expected to land in Yangon on Tuesday.
Myanmar's Information Minister Kyaw Hsan said on Tuesday that the country welcomed international aids, especially those needed for the resumption of the transportation, communication and electricity supply.
A devastating cyclone Nargis ripped through Myanmar's five divisions and states over the weekend, leaving at least 22,500 people dead and 41,054 missing.
The Myanmar government has alloted 5 billion Kyats (4.5 million U.S. dollars) for the relief and resettlement work and requested immediate international assistance.
"I believe that the government and people of Myanmar will soon overcome the difficulties caused by the cyclone and restore normal life and production," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a message to his Myanmar counterpart General Thein Sein.
Chinese Commerce Ministry said Tuesday that China would offer 1million U.S. dollars, including relief materials worth 500,000 dollars, to assist Myanmar in its disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The aid are scheduled to arrive in the capital Yangon on Wednesday, the ministry said in a statement.
Immediate neighbor Thailand offered 100,000 dollars in emergency aid and would discuss about further assistance at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said.
The minister said Thai army would airlift more than 400,000 dollars' worth of food, drinking water and medical supplies, which was expected to land in Yangon Tuesday afternoon.
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan on Tuesday appealed all member states to offer "generous" aid to Myanmar, saying that bilateral and regional efforts are now being coordinated with the 10-member organization "in order to bring quick, effective and adequate assistance to Myanmar."
"We are now appealing to all ASEAN governments, the private sector and the civil societies... Please respond generously," he told reporters in Singapore.
Surin also called on ASEAN dialogue partners, which include China, Japan and South Korea, to offer aids to Myanmar.
Singapore echoed the voice with an announcement that it would provide 200,000 dollars in aid to Myanmar.
Singapore's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the humanitarian assistance package include medical supplies, water purifying tablets, tents, ground sheets, blankets, sleeping bags and emergency food.
Economic giant Japan released 28 million yen (270,000 dollars) in emergency aid including tents, electric power generators and other emergency goods "considering the urgency of the situation there and humanitarian aspects to it, " the foreign ministry said in a statement.
South Korea said it would provide Myanmar with emergency aid materials worth 100,000 dollars to help the victims in Myanmar cyclone disaster.
"The government plans to provide aid materials such as tents, medication and food in consideration of the Myanmar government's request," said Moon Tae-young, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.
Bangladesh said it would send to Myanmar relief materials, including 10,000 pieces of lungi, 10,000 saris, 2,000 pants, 2,000T-shirts and 40 categories of medicines,
Elsewhere around the world also expressed solidarity and help to Myanmar, after the country requested the United Nations for immediate assistance to meet the needs of Nargis victims.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the organization "will do whatever (necessary) to provide urgent humanitarian assistance," adding that a disaster management team was ready to leave for Myanmar.
The European Union also released two million euros (three million dollars) in initial emergency aid.
Source:Xinhua
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