United Nations Radio

There's still uncertainty about the exact scale of the devastation and number of deaths caused Cyclone Nargis when it hit Myanmar a week ago.

UN humanitarian chief John Holmes in launching a flash appeal for $187 million to fund international efforts in Myanmar, says that based on the expertise of 18 agencies and their assessments in 55 townships, it is estimated currently that the number of severely affected population lies between 1.2 and 1.9 million.

"The number of deaths has been climbing daily and could be anywhere between 63,000 and 100,000 or possibly even higher than that. The vast majority of the deaths occurred in the delta region where category 4 winds and a three and a half metre storm surge destroyed 90-95 per cent of the buildings in seven townships. As many as 10,000 deaths have been reported in the city of Mogoley alone and most of the city's 190,.000 residents are thought to be homeless."

The cyclone raged through the five divisions of Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago, Mon and Kayin which are told home to nearly half of the country 53 million people.

It is estimated that about 1,930 square miles remain under water in the Irrawaddy delta.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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