YANGON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of Myanmar's cyclone storm Nargis rose by 4,218, bringing the total number to 38,491, the state radio reported Wednesday evening.

    The report said altogether 27,838 people still remained missing and the number of injured climbed to 1,403.

Children eat rice that was donated, in their destroyed home near Kundangon May 13, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

 

    A deadly tropical cyclone Nargis, which occurred over the Bay of Bengal, hit five divisions and states -- Ayeyawaddy, Yangon, Bago, Mon and Kayin on May 2 and 3, of which Ayeyawaddy and Yangon inflicted the heaviest casualties and infrastructural damage.

    Hard-hit coastal towns in the southwestern Ayeyawaddy division include Haing Gyi Island, Laputta, Mawlamyinegyun, Bogalay, Phyarpon, Kyaiklat, Ngaputaw, and Dedaye, while worst-hit areas inYangon division comprised Kungyangon, Thanlyin, Kyauktan, Twantay, Kawmu as well as the Yangon city.

A group of displaced people affected by Cyclone Nargis is seen near Yangon May 12, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

UN official urges Myanmar to accept more international aid workers

    UNITED NATIONS, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN's top humanitarian official urged the Myanmar authorities on Wednesday to allow more international aid workers into the affected area in the delta outside Yangon, the country's largest city.

    Speaking to reporters at a press conference at the UN Headquarters, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said that opening up the area as much and as soon as possible could make a huge difference. Full story

UN chief calls new meeting on aiding Myanmar

    UNITED NATIONS, May 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he has invited some ambassadors, representatives of members of the world body to discuss helping Myanmar's cyclone disaster relief Wednesday afternoon.

    "I have invited some ambassadors, representatives of the member states, to discuss all the options, how we can go ahead," Ban told reporters. "Until now, regrettably, I think we have spent much of our time and energy in facilitating aid, getting food in, and visas being issued."  Full story