Oslo - Norway remained concerned Monday over slow efforts to assist the victims of the devastating cyclone that hit Myanmar in early May.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said getting relief to Myanmar was a "huge challenge", adding that putting pressure on the military rulers was probably not a successful approach saying he favoured drawing on support and help from neighbouring governments.

On the Myanmar government's refusal to allow relief shipments, Store said he could recall only a few comparable responses, but noted how North Korea had also opposed international relief offers after famine struck the country a few years ago, Norwegian news agency NTB reported.

"Otherwise, all my experience is that governments allow relief after such disasters. The Myanmar government is challenging a fundamental UN principle to protect your own population," said Store, a former head of the Norwegian Red Cross.

Oslo on Sunday raised its emergency aid allocations for Myanmar to 50 million kroner (9.8 million dollars).

"The disaster is of such scope that no country will single- handedly be able to cope with the emergency relief," International Development Minister Erik Solheim said after the announcement, adding he was "very concerned" over the decision to block aid shipments and refuse foreign relief workers entry.

Store on Sunday discussed the situation with Thailand's Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama.

"I said we support the Thai authorities efforts to persuade the Myanmar authorities to allow international relief shipments," Store said. (dpa)