Myanmar said Tuesday it has appealed for international assistance to help provide food, temporary shelter and clothing for more than 210,000 people affected by widespread flooding following weeks of heavy monsoon rains.
At least 47 people have died in the floods, according to the government.
Myanmar's call for international aid stands in sharp contrast to stance taken when it was ruled by a military junta. It refused outside help in the wake of a devastating cyclone in 2008, when 130,000 people were estimated to have perished.