Ban Ki-moon said today that he hoped a turning point had been reached in tackling Burma’s humanitarian crisis as an international conference convened to pledge funds for the 2.4 million survivors of Cyclone Nargis.

The UN Secretary-General struck an optimistic notes at the opening of a one-day, 52-nation conference, after promises by the ruling junta yesterday that foreign aid workers could at last enter the most devastated areas from which they have been banned since the cyclone struck three weeks ago.

“I hope this marks a turning point in tackling the challenges facing this country,” Mr Ban told the 500 delegates as the conference began with a minute of silence for the dead.

But he said international relief workers and medical teams from neighbouring countries must have “unhindered access to the areas hardest hit by the disaster”.

Lieutenant General Thein Sein, the Prime Minister, who had shed his military uniform for the sarong-like “longyi" and traditional jacket, said that international aid “with no strings attached" was welcome, but only civilian vessels could take part in the aid operation.

“Relief supplies can be transported by land, air or sea. But if relief supplies have to be transported by water, civilian vessels can come in through Rangoon port,” he said.

This appeared to rule out aid from the US, British and French warships which have been cruising off Burma’s coast, loaded with humanitarian supplies. Burmese state media said last week that they would not be allowed into the country, for fear of an American invasion to snatch the country’s oil supplies.

So far Burma has accepted 3,200 tons of humanitarian supplies from abroad, said Thein Sein. He presented a long list of urgent needs, including temporary shelters, rice seeds, fertiliser, fishing boats and new salt factories.

Mr Ban estimated the relief operation would last at least six months.

“There is good reason to hope that aid to the worst affected areas of Burma will increase significantly in the coming days. These needs must be funded, immediately,” he said.

Burma’s military regime was expected to call for $10.7bn in foreign funds.

Several Western diplomats stressed that their countries would only donate if Burma carries through on its promises to allow access to aid workers.

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