New York  - The United Nations said Wednesday Myanmar's military regime was cooperating with the international community to allow relief goods into the country, but not at the speed needed to counter the destruction by Cyclone Nargis that has killed tens of thousands of people.

Nearly a week after the cyclone hit Myanmar, the first UN team was expected in Yangon only on Thursday, flying from the Brindisi base in southern Italy, while Myanmar-based UN staff had been trying to provide help already at hand.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged faster provisions of aid to the country.

"The secretary general believes that this is a critical moment for the people of Myanmar, and emphasizes the importance of providing as much assistance as possible in the vital first few days following the cyclone's impact," said John Holmes, UN undersecretary general for emergency humanitarian assistance. "He welcomes today's news that some UN aid officials will be allowed into Myanmar tomorrow, which will assist assessment and prioritization efforts."

"Given the magnitude of this disaster, the Secretary-General urges the government of Myanmar to respond to the outpouring of international support and solidarity by facilitating the arrival of aid workers, and the clearance of relief supplies in every way possible," he said. "This can significantly aid the government in responding to this tragedy."

Four planes carrying 70 tons of food and other emergency aid were headed for Myanmar to bring relief to the victims, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said Wednesday.

The planes loaded with high energy biscuits were due to arrive in Yangon Thursday morning. One aircraft funded by the Italian Government had left the UN depot in Brindisi in southern Italy. Two others flew from Dhaka in Bangladesh and the fourth left the United Arab Emirates.

The UN had asked Myanmar's military regime to waive visa requirements for aid workers, but authorizations were trickling in to applicants assembled in Bangkok. The Myanmar embassy in Bangkok was closed on Monday because of a Thai holiday.

Holmes said even if the Myanmar embassy had remained open on Monday, there was no certainty visas could have been issued immediately without Myanmar's authorization.

"We are beginning to be allowed in, slowly, but not faster under circumstances," Holmes said, brushing aside criticism that the UN failed to act faster while fatalities were mounting since Nargis hit over the weekend.

Iran and Pakistan, hit by devastating earthquakes in past years, immediately waived visa requirements to let in international assistance.

Holmes rejected the idea that the international community should take stronger and faster action to help the victims. Estimates on Wednesday were more than 22,500 dead, more than 40,000 missing and as many as 1 million people in dire need of urgent food supplies and medicine.

"I don't think that invading Myanmar is a sensible option for the people in Myanmar," Holmes said at a news conference at UN headquarters. "If it was a blanket refusal by the government, it would have been a different matter, but it is not the situation we're in."

"The cooperation (from Myanmar) is reasonable and we're moving in the right direction," he said, adding that discussion between the UN and Myanmar had been "useful and constructive."

Holmes said the UN will issue on Friday a flash appeal for assistance for Myanmar, based on assessments being carried out by the UN in that country.

He said the UN still had no independent way to verify the number of dead and has had to depend on casualty figures provided by the country's military government.

Holmes said discussion was being held with the government on the responsibilities of each side to provide and distribute relief goods to those in need. (dpa)