Singapore  - Welfare organizations in Singapore have received permission from Myamnar's military government to enter the cyclone- battered country and deliver aid, two groups said Tuesday.

The city-state has also confirmed it is hosting a special meeting Monday of Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers and has the go-ahead from Myanmar for the grouping to assess the damage.

Three members of the Singapore Red Cross were ready to fly Tuesday into Myanmar and start laying the groundwork for a nine-member medical team. Three members of the Salvation Army expect to be in Myanmar by Thursday.

"We can now start to plan how to reach those who need help urgently," The Straits Times quoted Red Cross secretary Christopher Chua as saying.

Myanmar's junta had earlier said they wanted foreign assistance but not aid overseas workers in the aftermath of the May 3 Cyclone Nargis.

Aid agencies and Myanmar nationals said they hope more people will be allowed in soon.

"We need more than just a handful of relief workers on the ground to help the thousands and thousands who are in need now," Myo Myint Maung, a 23-year-old student, told the newspaper.

The cyclone death toll is estimated at 100,000. (dpa)