The New Nation - Internet Edition

ICDDR, B overflows capacity: 20,000 people attacked in last 10 days

ICDDR,B is running beyond its capacity to
accommodate the diarrhoea patients 400 persons on an average
every day. FocusBangla

Staff Reporter

Hundreds of people - mostly children- are arriving at hospitals across the country daily. As last week, diarrhoeal diseases have been reported in more than 50 of the country's 64 districts, with over 20,000 people affected over the past 10 days, said hospital sources.

According to the Ministry of Health, about 10,000 new patients were admitted to the Government hospitals in 50 districts on May 8. Some 1,000 patients were admitted to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B) last couple of days. On an average, 200 to 400 diarrhoea patients were admitted to the facility per day.

"These are officially recorded figures. The actual number should be 5 to 8 times more than that," said Motasim Billah, who runs a medical clinic in Dhaka.

The official figures included only those cases reported to the Government hospitals, while most of the diarrhoeal diseases occur in remote villages where no Government facilities exist, he explained.

"Even in urban and semi-urban areas, where people are supposed to be aware of the harm that diarrhoea inflicts upon its victims, especially children, only a few take their patients to hospitals, and only when the patient is severely ill. Most of the diarrhoeal cases are managed at home," said Dr Fazle Rabbi, a physician at ICDDR, B.

"The reason for the sudden spurt in diarrhoea cases is the very high temperature and this is coupled with a lack of safe drinking water," he said.

Azharul Islam Khan, head of the short-stay unit at the ICDDR,B, said, "Some 60 per cent of those who reported to the hospital requiring admission. Others were given outpatient treatment and counselling."

The poor and people from lower income groups were the main victims of diarrhoea as a result of a lack of awareness about safe drinking water, poor sanitation, and the fact that rising food prices were driving more and more of them to seek cheaper food, which is often contaminated, said the health experts.

"Poor people are consuming stale and rotten food due to rocketing food prices and drinking unsafe water," said Habiba Khatun, Assistant Director of the Disease Control of the Health Services Directorate.

"Low-income people who rarely have access to pure drinking water and hygienic conditions are contracting the disease," said Jahangir Hossain, a scientist at the clinical sciences division of the ICDDR, B.

"The number of diarrhoea patients peaks in May. From now on we expect the number of diarrhoea patients to keep increasing each day," said Iqbal Hossain, an associate scientist at the ICDDR,B.

In Bangladesh, diarrhoea hits two peaks, one in April to May and the other in September to October.

Though the health experts do not consider the present situation 'epidemic' or 'critical,' they advise people to be cautious and observe better hygienic practices.

"To prevent diarrhoeal diseases during the hot spell, families must maintain their personal hygiene that includes washing of hands after visiting the toilet, giving fresh boiled water to children and feeding children hygienic food," said Azharul Khan of the ICDDR, B.

US won't accept any deviation from path of election: Boucher says, emergency must go

UNB, Dhaka

The United States wants withdrawal of state of emergency to hold a good election in Bangladesh and it won't accept any deviation from the path of elections set for December this year. "Election must be held to get back to a democratically elected government next year. We could not certainly count other deviation or any other path," US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher told a press conference at the American Club here on Friday.

Asked if a credible election is possible under the state of emergency, Boucher said: "We don't think about good election under the emergency. Emergency has to be lifted. For a good election, it needs open political activities, meetings, rallies, debates and open information. We've been pushing to lift the emergency, which is necessary to have credible elections."

Asked if he foresees any military takeover after his meeting with the army chief, he said: "No, only path for Bangladesh is to restore democracy and have an election. We won't accept any deviation from that path. We will work with everybody to make sure Bangladesh can achieve that."

Boucher said the US goal is to support democracy and the democratic election to ensure over all stability in Bangladesh, which is in the interest of the US and of the Bangladeshi people including the army. The army chief told him how they are supporting the caretaker government to have the elections to get to the elected government. Asked about the US position if major parties abstain from the elections unless their leaders are released, he said: "The United States is not involved with political parties. We are not taking side, we are not choosing winner and we are not supporting any faction of political party or individuals. Our goal is to support democratic process and the people to get a chance to decide through the elections."

About the trial of former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, Boucher said there are charges against the leaders and the government needs to follow due process of law and transparent trial, which is a different matter from the election process. "I realize, different political parties have different positions. But nobody can claim mandate or right to take away the rights of the people to get a chance of decide through elections." Asked if the elections will be credible without participation of the major parties, Boucher said he cannot deal with so many ifs and speculations. "We support the process proceeds in a manner so all the parties can participate… it is not the government, not the parties, but at the end it's (for) the people to decide."

Asked how far US is confident about the election according to the roadmap, the US official appreciated the efforts of the election commission for the progress in preparing a flawless electoral roll which is major achievement and other necessary things to get to the election.

"We all want the process proceed on the right track and like you we will be following and monitoring and encouraging steady progress to get to the election by the end of this year."

Boucher welcomes the dialogue between the government and the parties, expressing the hope that the dialogue would produce sort of understanding on conducting the election so voters can have choice. On the issue of terrorism, he said Bangladesh has done well last year in its fight against terrorism and the efforts needs to continue to have stability and economic progress.

Boucher said an elected government could be a solid foundation to continue the fight against terrorism and improve the human rights situation in the country.

In reply to a question, he said there is possibility to disrupt the election process by extremist groups and Bangladesh needs to remain vigilant against extremists and terrorists. He assured US support to Bangladesh to enhance counter terrorism On Bangladesh's access to the US President's MCA (Millennium Challenge Account), Boucher said two important criteria to get qualified for this fund is to lower down the level of corruption and improve the governance. He said Bangladesh has done well last year against the corruption and it needs to continue its endevaour to make further progress in good governance and reducing the corruption to get the access to MCA sooner than later.

US Ambassador in Dhaka James Moriarty and Director of the American Center Amy Hart Vrampas were present at the press conference.

Gano Forum to take part in local govt polls

Staff Reporter

Gano Forum will take part in the local government election and will field as many candidates as it can countrywide if a healthy circumstance prevail in the country. Party president Dr Kamal Hossain told this at a press conference following a presidium meeting at his residence in the city yesterday.

Asked about the doubt over holding the general election, he said people should be united to force the election to do it in time according to roadmap of the Caretaker Government.

About withdrawal of the state of emergency he said, "We want resumption of indoor politics countrywide with relaxation of the emergency in phases and also withdrawal of it before the upcoming general election."

Gano Forum wants to keep the unity of the 14-party alliance intact and also intend to enlarge the front with inclusion of like-minded parties in it," Dr Kamal said adding, "We want to bring a change with the unity of all non-communal and democratic political parties.

"We will go to people and unite them in favour of making a parliament of good politicians through fair election," he said and suggested that politics should be free of money and muscle power and people would have to remain vigilant about it.

Dr Kamal faced a volley of questions about his party's position regarding the steps of the Caretaker Government, release of political prisoners including former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia and also about the latest Supreme Court verdict on use of emergency powers act. The seasoned politician, however, avoided any direct answer to those.

Acting general secretary of Gano Forum Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, presidium members Pankaj Bhattachariya, Mofizul Islam Khan, Advocate SM Altaf Hossain and Kamal Uddin were present at the press conference.

Further fall in rice price

Staff Reporter

The price of different varieties of rice registered a slight fall in the city's retail and wholesale markets.

In recent days the price of coarse rice has declined by Tk 50 to Tk 60 per maund and other varieties of rice have registered a fall of Tk 1 to Tk 2 per kg at different shopping outlets in the city. The bumper production of 'Boro' this year is expected to reduce the price of rice even further.

Rice traders at the city markets hoped that the price of rice would come down gradually in the days ahead, as the anticipated 'Boro' rice would help reduce the price and relieve the sufferings of the consumers.

Rice traders opined if the procurement of 'Boro' crop is done efficiently and stored properly then the price of rice would come down at a tolerable level.

However, the price of vegetables remained stable, while the price of ata and soyabean oil showed a upward trend.

Coarse rice like 'Lata' was selling between Tk 32 and Tk 33 per kg. Pari Tk 32 and Tk 33 per kg. Fine quality of Nazirshail rice was selling at Tk 39 to Tk 43, Minicate at Tk 38 to Tk 43 per kg. And a kg of 'Sarna' and Parija and BR-28 were selling at Tk 33 and Tk 37.

On the other hand local variety of lentils was selling at Tk 98 to Tk 102, while imported ones at Tk 85 per kg in the retail markets. Soybean oil was sold at Tk 112 to Tk 115 per kg. Green Chilli was selling at Tk 25 to Tk 30 per kg. Potato at Tk 13 to Tk 14, cucumber at Tk 18 to Tk 20, Korola at Tk 22 to Tk 24, Tomato at Tk 22 to Tk 24 and beans at Tk 22 to Tk 24 per kg. The price of different varieties of fish still remain high as 'Ruhi' was selling at Tk 150 to Tk 180, Hilsah at Tk 280 to Tk 300 per kg. Prices of red meat like beef was at Tk 180 and while mutton at Tk 240 to Tk 250.

RU journalists demand withdrawal of new rules

RU Correspondent

The working journalists of Rajshahi University (RU) campus on Friday called for revoking a set of rules circulated by the vice-chancellor of the university to be followed by them in the discharge of their professional duties.

RU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Altaf Hossain on Thursday sent a letter containing a set of rules to be followed by the university correspondents to the Rajshahi Press Club.

The rules numbering 22 said that journalists must avoid conflict relation among newspapers, file authentic report, mention source of news and be careful about corruption report.

The letter said that the working journalists of RU should follow these and other rules of the journalism profession.

After receiving the letter, the working journalists of RU campus met the RU vice-chancellor and sought clarification from him about the rules.

The VC told the journalists that they should follow the rules .At the same breath, he said " You can ignore the rules if you don't like them."

Correspondents of RU expressed their deep concern over the new rules issued by the vice-chancellor for the journalists and strongly protested the move.

Prof Abdus Salam, convener of Progressive Teachers Society, also expressed deep concern over the circulation of new rules for journalists saying that only the Press Council could circulate rules for journalists.

'RU VC has no right to circulate rules for journalists', he noted.

A good number of teachers of the university and senior journalists in Rajshahi city strongly protested the circulation of these rules.

They pointed out that these rules aimed at curbing the freedom of press

Earlier, on December 20, 2005, RU VC Prof Altaf Hossain threatened a group of journalists with punitive action including cancellation of studentship for filing reports against the university authorities.

Chicken meat off middle-class menu

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

& Shamim Jahangir

The price of fowl meat has increased between Tk 50 and Tk 100 per kilogram in the kitchen markets within a month as production of the local and farm chicken declined following the bird flu scare in March.

The local chicken was sold at Tk 150 per kilogram a month back, which is now selling at Tk 250 per kilogram. The farm chicken was sold at Tk 65 to Tk 70, is now selling at Tk 120 per kilogram.

"We had produced 2.50 lakh metric tons of chicken meat yearly which now stands at 1.50 lakh metric tons," said Moshiur Rahman, General Secretary of the Poultry Breeders and Hatchery Association of Bangladesh.

"We have failed to supply meat as per the demand because around 75,000 poultry farmers out of 1.5 lakh have wrapped up their business following massive loss in the wake of bird flu," he said.

Over 60 poultry breeders and hatchery industries have stopped their business after sustaining heavy loss, he added.

He urged the Government to take steps for reducing the rate of interest on bank loan for sustaining the poultry industry.

"If the government reduces bank interest rate from 12 to 6 per cent, the industry will be back on track," Moshiur hoped.

He further said that the Association would meet the Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Manik Lal Samaddar to place its demands.

Abdul Kadir, a poultry bird businessman at Karwan Bazar, told the New Nation that the supply of fowls - local and farm - were insufficient against the demand in the markets.

Some 16,11,276 chickens, ducks and pigeons were culled since the epidemic broke out in March 22 last year, according to the Livestock Research Institute. As many as 21,62,971 eggs were destroyed so far following the outbreak of bird flu at the same time.

The disease affected 494 commercial and private farms of 138 upazilas in 47 out of 64 districts in the country.

Bird flu had caused losses of about Tk 4,164 crore to the poultry sector, according to the Bangladesh Poultry Association.

Around five million of the country's more than 14 core people are directly or indirectly involved in poultry farming, of whom officials estimate more than 15 lakh have now become jobless.

No human bird flu cases have been reported in the country, a densely populated nation, where poultry birds are commonly kept by households.

Seminar on Jute Policy-2008: IMF, WB suggested jute policy opposed

Staff Reporter

New "Jute Policy 2008" should not follow the IMF and WB recommended jute sector alteration strategy. It should ensure the maximum national benefits, diversifying the production and use within the country and abroad.

"It has been realised that the adoption of IMF and WB suggested jute policy actually suggests to shut-down state-owned jute mills in the name of privatisation. Because of them, we have lost the control of manufactured jute products market, despite our status of being the largest jute producing country," said speakers in a seminar on Jute Policy-2008.

Under the banner of Nagorik Sanghati, the seminar was organised at the national press club yesterday in the capital. Speakers suggested various aspects for the upcoming Jute Policy-2008 to ensure the best national interest, instead of implementing IMF and WB policies.

It was informed that the present Government is undertaking a fresh national jute policy for Bangladesh, which have been delayed several times in the past.

"The government has already drafted the Jute Policy-2008, where they have only pointed out related problems, instead of suggesting any suitable solutions," said the former president of Bangladesh Economic Association and Dr Moinul Islam while addressing the seminar.

Speakers in the seminar, who are experts in different fields, suggested that the Government should ensure the availability of Jute seeds, fertilisers and insecticides in subsidised rate. It was also recommended that the finance ministry should provide agriculture loans during the jute harvesting seasons in lower interest rates.

Moreover, they have recommended withdrawing the shutdown order from all state-owned jute industries. Beside that, they urged Government to ensure the purchase of raw jutes directly from the growers at a fair price for the state owned jute industries.

With the implementation of our recommendations, we believe, the jute sector will reclaim its lost status in Bangladesh. This will also make our national economy sound, as it was during the pre-independence jute-oriented economy, added the speakers.

Eminent journalist Gholam Murtaza, President of Bangladesh Workers Party Rashed Khna Menon, Hasanul Haq Enu, Shaikh Shahidul Islam, GM Kader and other economists joined the seminar as panel speakers.

$3b investment: BoI resumes talks with Tata

Staff Reporter

The Board of Investment (BoI) is going to sit in renewed talks with the officials of the Indian Tata Group on its US$3 billion investment proposal tomorrow (Sunday).

Energy Division would also be present at the meeting to help speed progress of the negotiations as the Caretaker Government intends to wrap up the dialogue and settle the investment deal before December 2008, sources in the BoI said.

The Caretaker Government resumed the stalled negotiations with the Indian conglomerate last month and.

The move is a response to a letter from Tata to the Finance Adviser of the caretaker government in mid February in which Indian conglomerate sought a resumption of dialogue over its power, steel and fertilizer investment proposal that have been stalled since August 2006.

Following the letter, the Finance Ministry instructed BoI to invite Tata's representatives for fresh dialogue.

Tata submitted a $2.5 billion investment proposal way back in 2005 and revised it later to around $3 billion to set up a 1000 MW power plant, a steel mill with an annual production capacity of 420,000 tonnes and a one million tonne fertiliser unit in Bangladesh.

Although the negotiations came to a standstill in 2006, significant progress had been made. Tata wanted a guaranteed supply of 1.25 trillion cubic feet of gas for a 15-year period and around three million tonnes of coal supply to Tata per annum and upgrading of gas pipeline from the current 24-inch diametre to 30-inch diametre.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had agreed to provide financial support for development of the gas pipeline.

But the Government of Bangladesh found many of its demands impossible to be fulfil and the talks faced a setback.

Hasina's release will be main agenda in talks with govt: Zillur

UNB, Dhaka

Issues relating to unconditional release of detained party chief Sheikh Hasina will be the main agenda of Awami League during the proposed formal dialogue with the caretaker government, said acting AL president Zillur Rahman.

"First, we'll raise the issue of Sheikh Hasina's release during the dialogue with the caretaker government as it is our main agenda. Dialogue is only for a free and fair election, and without

Hasina's presence fair election is not possible," Zillur said when leaders of Motor Chalok League met him at his Gulshan yesterday.

He alleged that conspiracy is being hatched to hold parliamentary election keeping Hasina behind the bar and said election could not be possible in this land without her presence.

Zillur cautioned that Awami League would resist any attempt to hold parliamentary elections without Hasina.

Replying to a query, he said they hope that the Chief Adviser would raise the issue of Hasina's release in his address to the nation.

"It'll be a bit of achievement for us if ban on indoor politics goes after the Chief Adviser's address. But what we want is complete withdrawal of the state of emergency ahead of the parliamentary polls, as no credible election is possible under the Emergency Power Rule," he said.

Zillur requested the party leaders, workers and supporters to remain united saying that unity is essential at this critical juncture of the country.

AL leaders Dr Hasan Mahmud and Adv Quamrul Islam, Motor Chalok League president Ali Hossain and general secretary Alauddin Rana were, among others, present.

Women's dev not possible by blindly following western concept

Staff Reporter

Justice Abdur Rouf told in a roundtable yesterday that women's development in Bangladesh would not be possible by blindly following western concepts of man and family.

He said that the western world that over time lost family values was now running back to those realising their importance.

He was presiding over the roundtable "The Woman Development Policy in the Islami Perspective" organised by the Bangladesh Sachetan Nagarik Samaj at the National Press Club.

Adviser to BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah was the chief guest at the function also addressed by Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Editor of The New Nation, Moulana Zainul Abedin, Advocate Saifur Rahman, former MP Khandakar Mesbahuddin, Helen Jerin Khan, Nazimuddin Alam, SM Rasheduzzaman, Advocate Mashiul Alam, Sultana Razia of Buet and Kaniz Fatima of Darul Ihsan University.

Hannan Shah alleged, NGOs made the Government to frame the national women's policy.

He said, "We should ask for as much rights as Islam has permitted the Muslims."

Hannan Shah said there were a lot of misconceptions about Islam in the west.

Referring to western countries he said, "When they drop bombs in a foreign country that is not considered a terrorist act, but when Muslim devotees gather to protest at the Baitul Mukarram mosque to protest wrong things they call it terrorism."

Mostafa Kamal Majumder said that Islam ensured women's right to inheritance of property more than other religions and urged the framers of the policy to revise the mistakes.

"We should stop this uncalled for debate as no one opposed women's development," he said and added the people, who made the policy, did not have the social perspectives in mind.

Sultana Razia and Kaniz Fatima said that the policy was framed hastily without paying attention to the guidelines given through the Quran and the Sunnah criticisms of the same also are marked by extreme reaction to things that are not prohibited in Islam.

They said there was nothing wrong in using also the name of the mother for the identification of a person. Similarly Islam is not opposed to equality of man and woman. In respect of inheritance of property Islam Provided for the most equitable distribution making women to gain more than men. They, however called for implementing women's right of inheritance of parents property.

Tagore's Nobel medal theft: CID confident of arresting Jibon soon

Mamunur Rashid

Members of intelligence agencies and law enforcers, hunting down for Jibon Singh, in connection with the theft of the Nobel Prize medal of poet Rabindranath Tagore, suspect that the main accused was living incognito in the capital.

Jibon, a leader of Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), an insurgent outfit of Assam, and his local associate Abul Hossain evaded arrest 25 times. The law enforcers suspected they were hiding in the old part of the city.

West Bengal CID sent letter to their Bangladesh counterparts in December, 2007 for his arrest and deportation.

RAB and CID claimed they searched for Jibon after receiving the letter but they could not find him.

On February 2, the CID arrested Mohammad Hossain Shiplu, a Bangladeshi aide to Jibon Singh, from the capital's Azimpur area. Shiplu is the son of Abul Hossain, a handicraft businessman of DCC Market in Gulshan.

The CID arrested Shiplu in connection with the theft of the Nobel Prize medal of poet Rabindranath Tagore and for his close relations with Jibon.

After the arrest, RAB conducted several raids at the DCC Market for the medal. They also grilled Shiplu several times but neither the medal was found nor Jibon Singh's whereabouts known.

Intelligence agencies have also quizzed 20 relatives of Abul Hossain for information about him and Jibon Singh. The agencies gathered that the accused persons are keeping in touch with their relatives over mobile phone.

An official of the CID told the New Nation last night that several teams of the department were active to arrest the KLA leader and his main associate within a short time. The official further said that they have all necessary information regarding Jibon Singh.

The CID official said Jibon is accused in at least seven cases of murder, detonating explosives, illegal arms and subversive activities.

According to sources, at least 350 to 400 Bangladeshi criminals are hiding in India while a number of Indian criminals are also staying in Bangladesh. Law enforcement agencies of both the countries have already arrested a number of them on both the sides.

"Since there is no extradition treaty between the two countries, West Bengal CID deported eight Bangladeshi criminals on the basis of friendly relationship," the CID official said.

The CID was trying hard to arrest Jibon Singh, as India refuses to deport any more Bangladeshi criminals without him.

RAB-3 Commanding officer Sultan Mohmmad Nurani yesterday told The New Nation, "We have checked out all the clues given by Shiplu about Jibon Singh. He and Abul may be hiding in old town. We are confident of arresting them soon."

This view was echoed by RAB-10 commanding Officer SM Kamal Hossain.

Move underway to form puppet parliament, says Delwar

Staff Reporter

Secretary general of pro-Khaleda BNP faction Khondoker Delwar Hossain yesterday alleged that conspiracy is being hatched to destroy the political parties in the country with an ill motive to form a 'puppet Parliament'.

"There is a move to form a 'puppet Parliament' in the country. The conspiracy is being hatched to provide legitimacy to the activities of the present government by brining amendment to the Constitution," he said at a press conference at his NAM Flat residence.

Khondoker made this comment a day after the Anticorruption Commission pressed charges against Begum Khaleda Zia and some reformist leaders of BNP in the GATCO graft case.

The BNP leader observed as part of the conspiracy, cases are being filed against BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia one after another.

Demanding withdrawal of the GATCO case, he said giving charge sheet against Begum Zia in the case a part of the conspiracy to divide the BNP.

"Conspiracy and blueprint is clear to the countrymen. They will never accept such conspiracy. BNP and people of the country will not take part in a farcical election," he observed.

Khondoker Delwar alleged that cases are being filed against Begum Zia to keep her from the election process and to tarnish her image.

"Cases are being filed like as series bomb blasts across the country. It is out of speculation as to how many cases will be filed from this factory," he said.

Replying to a question he said the pro-reform leaders of the party would hopefully ponder a little and learn a lesson from the GATCO case.

Khondoker Delwar condemned the inclusion of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the GATCO case charge sheet. The charge sheet named 24 people, including former finance minister M Saifur Rahman and former local government minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, as co-accused with Khaleda.

"It is a pity that our popular leader has been implicated in this fabricated GATCO case. This has been done to malign and keep her off the political scene," he said.

The BNP secretary general hoped that his party would win the majority of electoral seats if the elections were held properly and fairly with the two leaders leading their parties.

Commenting on judiciary, he said, "The hand of justice has been seemingly curbed and painted black. It curtailed the last refuge of the poor and the helpless. But the Appellate Division has failed to fulfil the expectations of the grassroots people."

Among others, BNP vice-president Sarwari Rahman, joint secretary general Selima Rahman and acting office secretary Rizvi Ahmed were present at the press conference.

Myanmar impounds UN aid deliveries

Agencies

Myanmar's junta seized U.N. aid shipments Friday meant for a multitude of hungry and homeless survivors of last week's devastating cyclone, forcing the world body to suspend further help.

The aid included 38 tons of high-energy biscuits and arrived in Myanmar on Friday on two flights from Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.

"All of the food aid and equipment that we managed to get in has been confiscated," U.N. World Food Program spokesman Risley said. "For the time being, we have no choice but to end further efforts to bring critical needed food aid into Myanmar at this time," he said.

At least 62,000 people are dead or missing in Myanmar, entire villages are submerged in the Irrawaddy delta and aid groups warned that the area is on the verge of a medical disaster.

The U.N. has grown increasingly critical of Myanmar's military rulers' refusal to let foreign aid workers into the country while the junta appeared overwhelmed and more than 1 million homeless people waited for food, medicine and shelter.

"The frustration caused by what appears to be a paperwork delay is unprecedented in modern humanitarian relief efforts," Risley said. "It's astonishing."

The junta said in a statement Friday it was grateful to the international community for its assistance - which has included 11 chartered planes loaded with aid supplies - but the best way to help was just to send in material rather than personnel.

Nearly a week after the storm, survivors are now having to contend with rotting corpses of people and animals as they wait for food, clean water and medicine.

"Many are not buried and lie in the water. They have started rotting and the stench is beyond words," Anders Ladekarl, head of the Danish Red Cross.

About 20,000 body bags were being sent so volunteers from the Myanmar chapter of the Red Cross can start collecting bodies, he said.

The U.N. was putting together an urgent appeal to fund aid efforts over the next six months. Spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs told reporters that the exact amount of the appeal would be specified later Friday.

The International Organization for Migration says it is asking for $8 million as part of the appeal. The U.N. refugee agency says it needs $6 million to fund the immediate shelter and household needs of 250,000 people.