Cyclone crisis: 'More cash needed'

But as urgent supplies begin to reach thousands of people affected by Cyclone Nargis, aid agencies have warned that much more is needed.

Since the appeal was launched by the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) a week ago, money has been pouring in, including significant personal donations from the Queen and Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

The DEC is an umbrella group for the organisations working on the ground in Burma to get aid to the estimated two million people at risk.

So far, the first Red Cross shipment of tarpaulins has reached the town of Myaungmya, and been used to cover the roof of the hospital, which was almost completely blown off in the cyclone. Two of four water purification units have arrived and once up and running they will produce more than a million litres of fresh water every day.

Tearfund relief teams have reached 23,000 people and are providing food, water, shelter and medical treatment to those in the worst-affected areas, while Christian Aid partners are distributing blankets, medicines and water purification tablets. Their initial relief effort aims to reach 100,000 people.

Brendan Gormley, DEC chief executive said: "We'd like to thank the generosity people have shown so far. It's important to remember that our DEC members are working on the ground now and more aid is getting through by the day. We want to encourage people to continue donating so our agencies can reach more who are in desperate need."

Three Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) cargo planes have also now arrived in Yangon (Rangoon) delivering 110 tons of medical and logistical material. Two more planes are being prepared.

MSF doctor Asis Min said: "Most of the water sources have been contaminated. If we cannot act quickly in water and sanitation, then there is a huge risk of disease outbreaks. There is a small amount or rice provided by the government. But I don't think everybody has food. For the time being we need more emergency response. It's a complete abyss. Places are destroyed completely."

In Britain, the House of Commons will debate the crisis later as pressure grows on the country's military junta to allow in international aid workers.