By KUNA,
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed deep sadness at death of over 350 people as a result of a deadly cyclone that struck military-ruled Myanamar.
His office said in a statement released late on Sunday that the UN secretary general was “deeply saddened” by the heavy human massive destruction suffered by the people of Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis struck the country over the weekend and expressed the UN readiness to assist if the military junta “wishes.” As a first step, a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) has been organized and is on stand-by to assist the Government in responding to humanitarian needs if required, the statement said.
The United Nations, it added, is also prepared to extend other necessary assistance and to mobilize international aid in support of the Government, if needed. It is not known whether the referendum on a new constitution, scheduled for May 10, will still take place.
The military has controlled Myanmar, also known as Burma, since 1962 and has been blamed for wide-spread human rights abuses and violent crackdowns on pro-democracy activists.