US provides initial aid to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States said Monday it is providing an initial sum of 250,000 dollars in aid to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar through its embassy in Yangon and is looking at what more it can do to help.

"The embassy (in Yangon) did issue a disaster declaration authorizing an immediate release of 250,000 dollars in support for the Burmese government," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey told reporters.

Casey said a US disaster assistance response team was "standing by and ready to go into Burma (Myanmar) to help try and assess needs there," but had apparently not received permission from the ruling junta in Yangon.

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel indicated earlier that aid released through the embassy "will go through the World Food Program...