Burma: Britain pledges extra £12m

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International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "The lives of many hundreds of thousands of people are at stake. We know that people are lacking the basics such as clean drinking water, food and healthcare. This additional £12 million will allow humanitarian teams on the ground to continue to deliver emergency assistance.

"The key priority is to deliver humanitarian aid as quickly as possible. The clock is ticking. This contribution shows our commitment to supporting the people of Burma. We will work to reach them, however difficult it is to get aid through to them.

"I reiterate our call on the Burmese authorities to grant full and unfettered access for international assistance. This is the key challenge if we are to save thousands of lives over the coming days.

"Our initial £5 million contribution is already making a difference to the people in Burma. We have already provided shelter for 43,000 people which has arrived in Rangoon and is being distributed by the UN. Fourteen flat-bottomed boats will arrive tomorrow and will be used to get much-needed aid into the Irrawaddy Delta. More UK relief flights will follow."

He said the £4.6 million allocated to aid agencies so far was expected to help more than 372,500 people in the affected region, providing clean, fresh drinking water, sanitation facilities, basic healthcare and emergency shelter.

A total of £7 million of the new money will be allocated to the UN Flash Appeal, with £5 million of that going to the World Food Programme.

A further £5 million will be used to provide logistical and relief supplies.

Two more UK flights containing more emergency shelter and flat-bottomed boats are due to arrive in Rangoon.