Relief supplies from the United Nations began arriving in Myanmar on Thursday in the wake of cyclone Nargis that has killed more than 22 thousand people and left one million homeless in the southeast Asian country.

However, U.S. military planes loaded with aid were still denied access five days after the devastating cyclone.

U.N. officials said two airplanes carrying aid arrived in Yangon but had to wait for the last two days while the world body negotiated with the military regime to allow the material into the cyclone-hit country.

Given the situation, China has urged Myanmar to work with the international community. Qin Gang is the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.

"Due to the severity of the disaster in Myanmar, it is only natural that the international community expresses their concerns and willingness to provide assistance. We hope Myanmar will cooperate with the international community and overcome the disaster as soon as possible."

The spokesman said China would give 4.3 million US dollars in aid in addition to an initial million.

Despite the logistical problems of getting aid to Myanmar, the World Food Program's regional director for Asia, Tony Banbury, said his staff would ensure that help reaches the people in need.

"They will organize distribution, they will identify the victims of greatest need, they will make sure that health supplies, the water, the food, the shelter supplies get to the people who need it."

Meanwhile, Germany announced that it was doubling its initial pledge of aid to Myanmar to 1.54 million dollars.

The International Red Cross also sent its first emergency aid into Myanmar on Thursday.