Don Muang poised for Burma relief duty
BANGKOK – The United Nations had accepted Thailand’s offer to use Don Muang airport as the staging centre for global relief to cyclone-hit Burma, according to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon .
Ban stopped in Bangkok on his way to the devastated area to expedite arrangements for facilitating the free movement of international aid workers.
The first flight of the UN World Food Programme (WPF) is expected depart Don Muang this week.
The UN has established its logistics hub in Thailand to ship assistance to Burma where a storm left more than 134,000 people dead and missing since May 2-3.
The flow of aid to Burma has been slow as the junta was reluctant to receive international aid workers, notably from Western countries.
“I intend to do all I can to reinforce activities in coordination with Burma authorities and the international aid agency,” Ban said.
The junta had allowed WFP to have nine helicopters operating in the country to ship aid to affected areas.
Ban plans to tour devastated areas in the Irrawaddy Delta today and meet with junta leader Than Shwe in the capital Naypyidaw tomorrow.
By The Nation
Ian Jarrett
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