Cyclone toll may top 200 000
2008-05-14 17:08
London - The number of people dead or missing after cyclone Nargis in Myanmar could rise above 200 000, a British minister said on Wednesday, citing aid agencies in the country.
In a hastily-called parliamentary debate on the aid crisis, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander noted that Myanmar's state media was reporting some 28 000 deaths and more than 33 000 missing.
"We believe the true figures to be far greater. Some agencies in the field are now estimating the number of dead and missing is rising to more than 200 000 people. At least 1.5 million are in need of assistance," he said.
According to UN estimates, up to two million people are still critically in need of clean water, food rations, emergency medical care and shelter, more than a week after the cyclone swept away entire villages in southern Myanmar.