The United Nations Friday projected up to 100,000 deaths from the cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.
The UN coordinator for emergency humanitarian assistance, John Holmes, said in New York that the death toll could range from 36,000 to 100,000 or even higher.
Earlier this week, the US embassy in Myanmar floated the number of 100,000 dead, but there had been no confirmation until Friday.
The UN numbers came from estimates by 18 rescue organizations in 55v cities in Myanmar.
The government of Myanmar, which is making it difficult for foreign food and water contributions as well as rescue personnel to land there, has reported a death toll of 23,000, with more than 42,000 people missing, dpa reported.