Oxfam is warning Burma is on the brink of a massive public health catastrophe, as Burma’s military junta continues to hinder international efforts to help the survivors of Cyclone Nargis. Oxfam says the catastrophe threatens the lives of as many as 1.5 million people who are suffering from disease and famine. UN Emergency Coordinator John Holmes urged Burmese authorities to allow humanitarian agencies to send in technical and health experts to help prevent outbreaks of disease.

John Holmes: “Excellencies, let me conclude in repeating that the extent of this human catastrophe is enormous and that the numbers of people in need may well increase further as we come to understand better the situation on the ground. And I repeat that the sooner humanitarians are allowed in and the less procedural and other obstacles we encounter, the more lives we can help save. The speed with which we deliver assistance to those in need is becoming more and more critical, and the danger of the outbreak of epidemics rises by the hour.”