Singapore has sent off its first batch of relief supplies – part of the US$200,000 (S$272,000) humanitarian aid package announced by the Singapore government – to cyclone-hit Myanmar.

Other non-government organisations such as the Singapore Red Cross and Mercy Relief are also standing by with volunteers and supplies.

40 boxes of medical supplies, which included items such as needles, antiseptic cream and charcoal pills, were loaded onto a SilkAir flight that was bound for Myanmar on Wednesday.

The last time Singapore had provided such supplies was in December 2006 after the Philippines was hit by a typhoon.

Several more shipments of supplies are expected to be sent from Singapore to Yangon over the next few days.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the humanitarian assistance package will include drinking water, water-purifying tablets, tents, groundsheets, blankets, sleeping bags and food supplies.

Over at the Singapore Red Cross, preparations are also underway to help Myanmar.

To date, the Red Cross has already received about S$9,000 in donations, even before a public appeal has been made. The organisation hopes to raise at least S$500,000 over the next two weeks.

Christopher Chua, secretary-general, Singapore Red Cross, said: "We're preparing a team of nine people to be sent to Myanmar. Hopefully, we'd be able to get the visa for two of them - to be sent as (an) advance party by tomorrow.

"This is the second largest disaster after the tsunami. Unlike the tsunami where we were able to respond quite quickly because of accessibility, there's now a bit of difficulty getting in."

Another non-governmental organisation, Mercy Relief, agrees time is of the essence when it comes to helping disaster victims.

Hassan Ahmad, chief executive, Mercy Relief, said: "Any delay will cause a further loss of lives. The other important thing is to prevent an epidemic which could become a second disaster if we're not able to provide timely support and assistance."

Mercy Relief said it is preparing about S$60,000 worth of supplies such as medicine and utensils for cyclone victims in Myanmar.