BANGLADESH: Aid agencies have called for urgent international assistance to help survivors of the cyclone which has destroyed parts of Bangladesh

Aid agencies have called for urgent international assistance to help survivors of the cyclone which has destroyed parts of Bangladesh. At least 2,579 have died since Cyclone Cidr struck last Thursday (November 15), according to the Disaster Management Ministry, but that figure could quadruple once rescuers reach outlying islands cut off by the damage. On the low lying coast roads were ripped up, buildings torn down, millions of homes were damaged and power and phone lines were knocked out. The British Government has already announced a 2.5 million pounds (5.15 million US dollars) aid package for the battered region and are closely monitoring the situation. Bangladesh has a population of more than 150 million, with more than a third living on less than a dollar a day. The southern region is hit every year by cyclones and floods but it has been more than 15 years since one of such strength hit the country. Both the British Red Cross and Save the Children have set up appeals.

ITN Source | November 22, 2007

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