Aid deliveries are being restricted to the devastated area of Burma as travel and visas provide mighty hurdles for UN relief organisations.

Since the disaster occurred on the 3rd of May only a limited amount of aid has begun trickling through to the deprived country. These ongoing delays and unfortunate timings are continuing to prevent further aid from reaching the region, consequently increasing the death toll and suffering of victims.

With regards to obtaining visas the UN has reported that a large number have been applied for but as of yet they are still waiting to be received. The issue of gaining visas for the reclusive country has always been a challenging one, however in the mist of the current situation it is hoped that Burmese officials will be able to relax the rules in order to allow external help.

A positive sign is that it seems Burmese Foreign Ministry officials have accepted that international aid is essential and have recently indicated to UN. contacts that the nation will permit assistance.

This will however be with conditions as the number of foreigners and supplies which will be allowed inside will become closely monitored by Burma itself. In turn it is thought the freedom which workers will have to move around without permission will be heavily restricted.

It seems that unless visas are fully granted to the many specialist disaster teams, relief experts and UN workers then aid and relief will remain restricted to the many sufferers of this natural disaster.