Geneva  - The UN said Tuesday it was prepared to provide urgent funding for Myanmar from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) after Cyclone Nargis left an estimated 15,000 people dead.

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said in a statement issued in Geneva: "The Government of Myanmar has indicated that they are open to international assistance. We appreciate the Government's announcement that it is making available 5 million dollars from its own resources for emergency relief and I am ready to allocate a significant amount from the CERF as the most urgent needs become clear. "

The total population of the declared disaster areas is estimated at 24 million. Authorities in Myanmar have declared five regions disaster zones; Yangon, Ayeyarwwady, Bago, Mon and Kayin according to the UN. (dpa)