Neither the west nor the junta should play politics. Around 22,000 people have been killed in a devastating cyclone that ripped through Myanmar on Saturday. Winds at a speed of 190 km per hour whipped up 4-metre-high tidal surges, flattening entire villages. Hundreds of thousands have been left homeless. Cyclone Nargis wreaked havoc in the low-lying Irrawaddy delta. Ten thousand people died in the delta town of Bogalay alone. Reports of devastation have come in from various parts of the deltaic region. Trees and power lines are down and food and clean water is said to be running short. India has responded swiftly to the disaster. It has dispatched two naval ships from Port Blair with food, medicines, medical supplies and clothing. It is also considering air-lifting relief to Myanmar. Thailand has also sent in emergency relief. Under crippling western sanctions for years, Myanmar's infrastructure was in a shambles even before the cyclone struck. Hunger, poverty and unemployment have been severe. These problems are likely to deepen in the coming months. Myanmar needs the support of the international community to cope with the impact of the disaster. While immediate relief is urgently required, help is needed over the medium-term too as the country struggles to cope. The Irrawaddy delta is Myanmar's rice bowl and a serious shortage in supply of rice can be expected over the coming year. It is a pity that sections of the international community are imposing conditions on their offer of emergency aid to Myanmar. The United States, for instance, has offered Myanmar $125,000 and said it would provide more if the junta allowed a US team access to assess the situation. To some countries, the cyclone is an opportunity to pressure Myanmar's military rulers to pry open this isolated country. The immediate priority of the international community should be to support rescue and relief efforts there. Politics and settling scores can wait. This applies to Myanmar's military rulers as well, who are keen to press ahead with a referendum on the constitution scheduled for May 10. Its priority should be on meeting the humanitarian needs of millions reeling from the cyclone rather than pushing on with a vote that is aimed at cementing its grip over power. A large amount of resources is needed to conduct a referendum. This should be used now for relief operations. Both the junta and the west need to re-examine their flawed approach. They should put the plight of the people of Myanmar at the centre of their policies.