To another Asian country, Myanmar, where the death toll caused by a disastrous cyclone has risen to more than 34,000. More than 28,000 people also remain missing.

The United Nations has warned that torrential rains could trigger an even bigger catastrophe for the country next week.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has this to say.

"The estimate of those currently at severe risk is in the neighbourhood of one point five million. We are at a critical point; unless more aid gets into the country very quickly, we face an outbreak of infectious diseases that could dwarf today's crisis."

In related news,

The Myanmar government has given the greenlight to aid supplies from the United States.

The first American military plane carrying relief material has arrived in Myanmar's capital Yangon.

On board also were a number of US officials, including the USAID Director of Foreign Assistance.

Myanmar's government spokesman said the aid, which was transferred to Myanmar army trucks, would be ferried by air force helicopters to the worst-hit Irrawaddy delta later on Monday.

International humanitarian aid from around the world has been pouring in Myanmar since last week.