US helicopters begin delivering supplies to Bangladesh cyclone survivors
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - U.S. Navy helicopters began delivering emergency supplies Monday to survivors of a deadly cyclone along the southern coast of Bangladesh in a joint relief operation, officials said.
Helicopters from the USS Kearsarge started airlifting 5,000 water containers to remote areas of Dublar Char, Bagherat and Barguna, the worst affected districts in the Nov. 15 cyclone.
More than 3,100 people died in the storm and more than 1,700 were missing. More than 450,000 homes were destroyed.
U.S. troops will also deliver food and other supplies, help set up water purification plants, and provide medical care to victims in the coming days, army officials said.
"Our first priority is get food, water and clothes to the survivors," said Gen. Moeen U. Ahmed, the chief of army staff, after meeting U.S. officials.
Aid workers' attempts to deliver critical supplies and medical services have been hampered by blocked or destroyed roads. On Saturday, a section of a bridge collapsed and fell into a river under the weight of thousands of survivors stampeding for food in southern Patuakhali district. One person died and dozens were injured.
"We will fill the requirements as identified by the Bangladesh military," said U.S. Brig. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, who is coordinating the relief operation.
Bangladesh has received pledges of international aid of more than $500 million, including $250 million from the World Bank.
Helicopters from the USS Kearsarge started airlifting 5,000 water containers to remote areas of Dublar Char, Bagherat and Barguna, the worst affected districts in the Nov. 15 cyclone.
More than 3,100 people died in the storm and more than 1,700 were missing. More than 450,000 homes were destroyed.
U.S. troops will also deliver food and other supplies, help set up water purification plants, and provide medical care to victims in the coming days, army officials said.
"Our first priority is get food, water and clothes to the survivors," said Gen. Moeen U. Ahmed, the chief of army staff, after meeting U.S. officials.
Aid workers' attempts to deliver critical supplies and medical services have been hampered by blocked or destroyed roads. On Saturday, a section of a bridge collapsed and fell into a river under the weight of thousands of survivors stampeding for food in southern Patuakhali district. One person died and dozens were injured.
"We will fill the requirements as identified by the Bangladesh military," said U.S. Brig. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, who is coordinating the relief operation.
Bangladesh has received pledges of international aid of more than $500 million, including $250 million from the World Bank.
