The European Commission is due to meet Tuesday in Brussels to discuss the ongoing crisis in Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis.

The scale of destruction and need caused by the cyclone was 'massive', European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel said Monday ahead of the extraordinary meeting.

'The purpose of the meeting will be to review the situation and to beef up the response of the European Union (EU) member states and the European Commission to this emergency situation,' a statement from the commission said.

Michel, who used to be Belgium's foreign minister, said he would travel to Myanmar directly after the meeting and talk to the government there.

'It is our sincere wish to work in close co-operation with the Burmese (Myanmar) authorities to urgently alleviate the sufferings of the Burmese people affected by the cyclone,' Michel said.