Satellite image of Cyclone Nargis

The first aid flight from Britain has landed in Burma carrying relief supplies for the victims of Cyclone Nargis. Thirty-six tonnes of aid were delivered today, with further British flights expected over the coming days. Here's our correspondent in Bangkok Jonathan Head:

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The first aircraft from Britain has now arrived in Rangoon, carrying thirty-six tonnes of equipment like plastic sheeting and jerry cans, more British aid flights are likely to follow.

There is continued diplomatic pressure on Burma to accept a much larger international presence, but governments appear to have decided it's still worth flying aid into the country, despite the many uncertainties over how well and how quickly it can be distributed to the cyclone's victims.

Jonathan Head, BBC News, Bangkok

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banned
forbidden, stopped allowing

stricken Irrawaddy delta
the area of low flat land where the Irrawaddy, Burma's main river, divides into several smaller rivers before flowing into the sea; this area was most affected by the cyclone

relief supplies
the most necessary goods, like basic food, clean water, medicines and basic equipment, that have started to arrive from other countries

without adequate food and shelter
having neither enough food, nor anywhere to hide/protect themselves from bad weather

sheeting
thin plastic material that can be used for lining or covering surfaces

jerry cans
large metal containers with flat sides used for storing or carrying liquids, such as fuel or water

more British aid flights are likely to follow
more planes from the UK carrying relief supplies will probably arrive in Burma soon

There is continued diplomatic pressure on
many countries and international organisations are trying hard to convince (by arguing strongly that it's right)

international presence
number of people - mainly relief workers - from abroad

distributed
shared out, given

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