The World Bank health and education economist helped compile the first full assessment of the disaster, which was presented at an Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers' conference in Singapore this week.

Mr Morris, who lives at Gnotuk with wife Charmian, has experienced wars in Afghanistan and East Timor.

But the aftermath of the cyclone, which struck the South-East Asian country in May, is the worst disaster he has seen. A wall of water killed at least 84,537 people. Another 53,836 are missing and 2.4 million are vulnerable to disease, hunger and a lack of shelter and medical treatment.

``It was just unbelievable,'' Mr Morris said.

``The photos on the news don't capture the devastation. I hope the world never sees anything like it again.''

Mr Morris, who has just returned from Burma, formed part of an ASEAN-led team, which included representatives from the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

His role was to report on health and education infrastructure. ``In the villages between 50 and 60 per cent of health-based and educational facilities were destroyed,'' he said.

``Another 35-40 per cent were severely damaged. In the bigger towns it wasn't so bad. Institutions were damaged but not totally destroyed.''

The ASEAN report predicted Burma would face a ``second emergency'' unless $US1 billion ($A1.02 billion) in international aid was provided over the next three years.

Mr Morris said a major reconstruction process was needed, with damage sustained across all sectors.

``Lots of people were injured, who as a result of their injuries had their capacity to earn incomes lowered. These people need support so they can pay for health services, pharmaceuticals and supplies.''

Mr Morris acknowledged there were sensitive political and human rights issues in Burma. But he said the international community needed to provide aid.

The Australian Government announced this week it would provide a further $30 million to help with recovery efforts.

It came on top of $25 million Australia offered shortly after the cyclone struck.