The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Washington

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the United States is responding in the aftermath of cyclone Sidr to try to meet the immediate needs of the Bangladeshi people, calling into action a multitude of US government disaster relief agencies and departments.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Bangladesh following this major natural disaster, and we stand ready to assist further," she said in a statement.

Rice said the USAID provided $100,000 immediately after the cyclone and has deployed a five-person disaster assessment team to Bangladesh to assist with the relief and recovery efforts.

This team is working alongside local authorities to conduct field assessments that will identify additional needs and areas where we might be of assistance.

USAID is now sending an additional $2 million in emergency funds for water and sanitation programs and to provide shelter materials to those in need. A portion of this funding will also be provided to humanitarian organizations currently working in the affected areas. At the request of the US Embassy in Bangladesh, US Pacific Command has sent a 23-man Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team of US Marines to the southern coast of Bangladesh to determine how the US military can best provide assistance in the area.

A military medical team already in the country is prepared to provide medical assistance to the injured.

In addition, US Navy ships, USS Essex and USS Kearsarge, have been ordered to move in the direction of Bangladesh so that US military forces can be better positioned in the event that the Bangladesh government requests assistance.

These ships, expected to arrive in 5 to 7 days, each carry 20 or more helicopters that can be used for medical evacuations and surveying affected areas.

The Department of Defense will continue to assess assets, which may be deployed in Bangladesh.

While the United States and other donors will continue to aid in the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr, the effects of the Cyclone were certainly lessened and many lives saved due to the investments the Bangladesh government, working with USAID, has made in disaster preparedness and mitigation.