UN Chief: Burma to Allow All Aid Workers

As Ban began his visit, foreign aid agencies stressed the need to quickly reach survivors suffering from disease, hunger and lack of shelter.

"In 30-plus years of humanitarian emergency work this is by far—by far—the largest case of emergency need we've ever seen," said Lionel Rosenblatt, president of US-based Refugees International.

Rangoon residents did not seem optimistic that Ban's visit would make a difference.

"Don't just talk, you must take action," said Eain Daw Bar Tha, abbot of a Buddhist monastery on Rangoon's outskirts. "The UN must directly help the people with helicopters to bring food, clothes and clean water to the really damaged places."