London (PTI): The European Commission has announced emergency relief of two million euros for victims of Cyclone Nargis that struck Myanmar over the weekend as the official death toll crossed 10,000.

The funds, managed by the EC's Humanitarian Aid Department, are being mobilised rapidly to help meet the basic needs of survivors in the disaster zone.

Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "With every hour that passes, the news coming out of Myanmar gets grimmer and grimmer. This is a terrible catastrophe that demands a quick and effective humanitarian response."

The current EU Presidency held by Slovenia expressed sincere condolences to the people of Myanmar for the devastation and loss of life.

Myanmar's Foreign Minister Nyan Win had yesterday said that his nation would welcome international aid to meet the gigantic challenges posed by the natural disaster.