The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The United States yesterday assured long-term assistance for cyclone-hit people of Bangladesh in addition to its emergency aid of US$ 2.1 million.

"President (George W.) Bush has asked me to inform you that both civilian and military assistance would come in the next few days for the cyclone victims in Bangladesh," Director of US Foreign Assistance and USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore told reporters at Zia International Airport immediately after her arrival in Dhaka to assess the damage and the need for assistance.

"We are here to help Bangladeshi people…Our desire is to build a strong and long-term partnership with Bangladesh," she said.

US Charge d' Affaires Geeta Pasi and USAID Mission Director Denise Rollins received Ms Fore at the airport.

The USAID Administrator said two naval ships with greater capacity for evacuation, are expected to arrive in Bangladesh on November 23 and November 27. Having on-board helicopters, medical teams and emergency evacuation teams, these ships would join the relief operations.

Ms Fore, who arrived Dhaka for a 24-hour visit and flew over some worst hit areas in the southern districts, said she saw houses and farms were damaged, paddy fields destroyed and people left their farms and walked into towns looking for food.

"This is a need and it will be a long-term need," she said, adding that she had discussions with the Chief Adviser and officials of the Food and Disaster Ministry on emergency and long-term assistance.

She said the US will look into schemes on education in health, assistance in rural electrification, telecommunication and construction of embankment.

"This time is very challenging for Bangladesh," Ms Fore said, adding that 46 per cent people of this country live on less than 2 US dollars a day and "many of these people lost everything."

The USAID Administrator said two US assessment teams are now working here with the Bangladesh government and by the end of this week they should have good assessment of damages caused by cyclone SIDR.

"We are working with the government, the army and NGOs in a right way to rebuild houses, rebuild lives," she said.

Meanwhile, a C-130 US cargo plane yesterday landed at Zia International Airport with first consignment of relief goods worth US$ 1,61,000.

The goods include 5,000 blankets, 2,520 hygienic kits, 2,500 jerricans, 300 plastic sheets and energy biscuits.