Aid agencies have given a cautious welcome to the announcement that Burma's leaders will allow all foreign relief workers into cyclone-hit areas.
The UN's World Food Programme said the real test was whether its workers would be allowed to leave Rangoon for the devastated southern Irrawaddy Delta.
About 78,000 people died and 56,000 are missing after the 2 May cyclone.
Meanwhile, the polls have opened in the final stage of a controversial referendum on a new constitution.
The vote is taking place in Rangoon and parts of the Irrawaddy delta, where only a few million people will be casting their ballots.
Analysts say this is not nearly enough to overturn a massive majority in favour of the new constitution, which the Burmese leadership claimed during the main stage of the vote earlier this month.
'World is watching'
Thousands of aid workers are needed for the relief effort in Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, and the massive reconstruction that must follow.
For weeks, Burma's government - suspicious of foreigners and fearful of any development which could challenge its monopoly on power - has blocked foreign aid workers.
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Will Burma keep its word on aid?
Burmese anger at junta
The change in the Burmese generals' hardline position on access came after a meeting on Friday between UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Burma's senior general, Than Shwe.
After talks in Burma's remote capital, Nay Pyi Daw, Mr Ban said Burma would now allow the delivery of aid "via civilian ships and small boats".
But his wording suggested that the US, British and French warships waiting off the coast with supplies may not be able to dock.
Correspondents say Burma has a record of withdrawing promises made to the UN, and aid agencies are waiting to hear how these new arrangements will work in practice.
The UN's World Food Programme says it has now been allowed to bring in 10 helicopters to ferry supplies to the disaster zone.
The French organisation Doctors without Borders says it has now some foreign staff working in four areas of the Irrawaddy Delta. There is also a Thai medical team working there too.
Mr Ban stressed that "implementation will be the key", and warned that what happened next would be closely watched.
Western governments have backed Mr Ban's visit, calling for pressure on Burma's leadership to do more to help the cyclone victims.
The UN estimates that only a quarter of the 2.5 million Burmese affected by the cyclone have received the help they need.
Meanwhile, Mr Ban has arrived in China, to observe relief efforts after a massive earthquake struck Sichuan province on 12 May, killing more than 55,000 people.
Mr Ban is in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, from where he is expected to travel to a town close to the quake's epicentre later on Saturday.
Cautious response to Burma pledge
Aid agencies have given a cautious welcome to the announcement that Burma's leaders will allow all foreign relief workers into cyclone-hit areas.
The UN's World Food Programme said the real test was whether its workers would be allowed to leave Rangoon for the devastated southern Irrawaddy Delta.
About 78,000 people died and 56,000 are missing after the 2 May cyclone.
Meanwhile, the polls have opened in the final stage of a controversial referendum on a new constitution.
The vote is taking place in Rangoon and parts of the Irrawaddy delta, where only a few million people will be casting their ballots.
Analysts say this is not nearly enough to overturn a massive majority in favour of the new constitution, which the Burmese leadership claimed during the main stage of the vote earlier this month.
'World is watching'
Thousands of aid workers are needed for the relief effort in Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, and the massive reconstruction that must follow.
For weeks, Burma's government - suspicious of foreigners and fearful of any development which could challenge its monopoly on power - has blocked foreign aid workers.
map
Click here for a map of the delta
Reporter's diary
Send us your comments
Will Burma keep its word on aid?
Burmese anger at junta
The change in the Burmese generals' hardline position on access came after a meeting on Friday between UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Burma's senior general, Than Shwe.
After talks in Burma's remote capital, Nay Pyi Daw, Mr Ban said Burma would now allow the delivery of aid "via civilian ships and small boats".
But his wording suggested that the US, British and French warships waiting off the coast with supplies may not be able to dock.
Correspondents say Burma has a record of withdrawing promises made to the UN, and aid agencies are waiting to hear how these new arrangements will work in practice.
The UN's World Food Programme says it has now been allowed to bring in 10 helicopters to ferry supplies to the disaster zone.
The French organisation Doctors without Borders says it has now some foreign staff working in four areas of the Irrawaddy Delta. There is also a Thai medical team working there too.
Mr Ban stressed that "implementation will be the key", and warned that what happened next would be closely watched.
Western governments have backed Mr Ban's visit, calling for pressure on Burma's leadership to do more to help the cyclone victims.
The UN estimates that only a quarter of the 2.5 million Burmese affected by the cyclone have received the help they need.
Meanwhile, Mr Ban has arrived in China, to observe relief efforts after a massive earthquake struck Sichuan province on 12 May, killing more than 55,000 people.
Mr Ban is in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, from where he is expected to travel to a town close to the quake's epicentre later on Saturday.
