Jun 26, 2008 (DVB), U Ohn Kyaing, chair of the National League for Democracy's Cyclone Relief Committee says the party is currently focusing its efforts on roofing houses and cleaning ponds for drinking water for cyclone survivors.

U Ohn Kyaing said the NLD planned to continue its work on relief efforts in the Irrawaddy delta.

"In the first phase, we plan to clean 20 ponds in villages inside Latputta township within two weeks," he said.

"Latputta MPs-elect Dr Aye Kyu and U Kyi Win, NLD organising committee members and party members from villages will cooperate in this effort."

With the help and cooperation of local NLD members, the relief committee is continuing its aid operations for cyclone victims in various areas of Bogalay, Mawlamyaing Kyne, Latputta and Ngaputaw townships.

"In villages in the lower part of Mawlamyaing Kyne, which were severely affected by the cyclone, we provided people with materials for shelter, money and clothes on Monday," said the chairperson.

"In Bogalay, township organising committee members and NLD supporters are taking care of distributing relief supplies to locals in different villages," he went on.

"For Bogalay and Ngaputaw, we plan to provide each village with 200 canvas sheets for roofing," he continued.

The NLD formed the Cyclone Relief Committee on 8 May after Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma.

The Committee has been collecting donations and has taken an active role in relief operations since then.

U Ohn Kyaing told DVB that aid distribution to cyclone survivors should continue for at least another six month and so the committee was looking for further financial and material donations.

"We want to ask private donors to support us more. We are a political organisation so, even though we want to help those who are in desperate need, we have limited relief supplies," U Ohn Kyaing said.

"Cyclone survivors still need aid so please help us to save their lives," he implored.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet