In Washington, First Lady Laura Bush announced the US government would send $250,000 in emergency aid. Meanwhile, President Bush is expected to sign legislation today awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Burma’s jailed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. On Saturday, Burma is scheduled to hold a controversial referendum to rewrite the nation’s constitution. Exiled opposition activist Soe Aung of the National Council of Union of Burma urged the military junta to postpone the referendum.

Soe Aung: “We are calling the international community to press the military regime to immediately defer the referendum in order to address the devastation left by this Cyclone Nargis. After these survivors’ main needs are met, and the regime can proceed with the rescheduled referendum, and this time under free and fair conditions and including the presence of the international monitors.”

Burma’s military regime initially said it would proceed with the referendum, but now officials say the vote will be postponed in forty-seven towns hardest hit by the cyclone.