The 1.5 million people left destitute by Cylone Nargis in Myanmar are becoming increasingly desperate with foreign aid still only trickling in to the country.

Overstretched aid workers are struggling to reach hard-hit areas and are also having to endure the hazards affecting the local people, including the fears of another tropical depression that a US advisory says could develop into a cyclone within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, in a gesture to critics who say outside aid is critical, Myanmar's reclusive military rulers invited 160 personnel from neighbouring Bangladesh, China, India and Thailand to assist in chaotic relief efforts.

US President George Bush has urged Myanmar's junta to accept disaster response teams that so far have been kept out of the country.

The US State Department has said that disaster response experts were ready to go into Myanmar but that the government would not let them in.

Bush said: 'Our message is to the military rulers: Let the United States come and help you help the people.”

Bush issued his appeal to Myanmar's military government, which is under heavy US sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Dutch government says that aid should be forced into Myanmar for the victims of cyclone Nargis.

Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen wants the UN Security Council to enter the country if a plea to the country's ruling military government. does not work.

France, Great Britain and Germany also support such a move.

The official death toll reported by the state media has now reached 38,000, with another 27,000 still missing.