France, Britain send aid for Myanmar cyclone victims

PARIS (Reuters) - France and Britain said on Thursday they were sending emergency supplies to Myanmar to help victims of Cyclone Nargis, which killed up to 128,000 people.

A French plane with 40 tonnes of food rations and other aid was due to arrive in Myanmar's capital Yangon on Thursday and a navy ship was headed to Myanmar in the hope it will be allowed to enter the country, a French official said.

Since the storm devastated the heavily populated Irrawaddy delta rice bowl, supplies of food, medicine and shelter have been sent in dribs and drabs because the military government has kept tight restrictions on foreign aid workers and equipment.

That has prompted Western criticism the Myanmar government is increasing the risk of starvation and disease among the 2.5 million people left destitute by the disaster.

Britain said it was giving a further 12 million pounds ($23.34 million) for aid, adding to five million announced last week.

"The key priority is to deliver humanitarian aid as quickly as possible. The clock is ticking," said Douglas Alexander, secretary of state for international development.

"I reiterate our call on the Burmese authorities to grant full and unfettered access for international assistance," he said.

French aid group Action Contre la Faim (ACF), which provided the supplies being sent by plane, will take care of distribution itself.

"Not only is it (the plane) authorized to land in Yangon but we have been able to ensure that the supplies will be collected by ACF and ACF will be allowed to use them," said the senior official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.