The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

On behalf of the American people, the US Embassy in Dhaka expressed its deepest sympathy to the families of those who perished and others affected by the cyclone that hit Bangladesh late Thursday night.

The US Government has worked closely with partners in disaster relief mitigation in Bangladesh for many years.

USAID funds construction and maintenance of multi-purpose flood and cyclone shelters throughout the country as well as wave protection walls and earthen embankments to reduce flood damage.

In addition to building nearly 4,000 such structures since 2005, USAID trained local disaster management committees to oversee emergency response activities and provided cyclone preparedness training.

We distributed Emergency Survival Packets to 59,779 households displaced by 2007 flooding, said a US Embassy release. Even before the cyclone hit, the US Embassy in Bangladesh and partners pre-positioned supplies and equipment, including sixteen zodiac boats, six water treatment systems and ten water ambulances.

Our partners CARE and Save the Children pre-positioned 30,000 Emergency Survival Packages and food commodities in coastal areas.

We are currently exploring other ways in which we can assist in the recovery process, the release added.