UK aid agencies have launched an urgent appeal to raise funds for the victims of Burma’s cyclone.

The Disasters Emergency Committee said the scale of the disaster meant the need for aid was “immediate and vast”

If you have a credit card you can donate by phone by calling 0870 6060900.

Alternatively you can send a cheque made payable to ‘DEC Myanmar Cyclone’ to: DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal, PO BOX 232, Melksham, SN12 6WF

The DEC says the current priority is keeping survivors alive.

Member agencies are making their own spending priorities.

For instance, the Red Cross is spending money on getting tarpaulins, hygiene kits, water purification tablets and high energy biscuits into the country.

Merlin is preparing a hospital boat to go into the Irrawaddy Delta at the weekend.

The DEC is keen to point out that the task has only just begun – it will take years to rehabilitate all the victims. Spending priorities will evolve over time.

It says £25 (about $50; 30 euros) will provide mosquito nets for 10 people to protect from them from malaria.

£50 (about $100; 60 euros) will pay for clean water and water purification tablets for one family for 3 months.

£100 (about $200; 125 euros) will provide household kits for 10 families. A kit contains cooking pots, mugs, plates, cutlery, washing powder, toilet paper, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, razors, sanitary towels and bath towels.

Also the BBC have provided the following page, with details on how to help. Click here >>