The New Nation - Internet Edition

Syed Zahirul Abedin

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday hailed the country's political parties for launching relief operations among the cyclone-affected people in the southern districts.

On the other hand, Communications Adviser Major General MA Matin said the foreign forces, including the US Marines were delivering food, water and medical supplies to the cyclone-affected areas along with the Bangladesh defence forces.

Charge d Affaires of the US Embassy in Bangladesh Geeta Pasi assured of continuous help for the cyclone-affected people of Bangladesh.

After visiting different cyclone affected areas, including Swarankhola in Bagerhat, Mathbaria in Pirojpur and Amuya under Kathalia upazila in Jhalakathi yesterday, Dr Fakhruddin was replying the queries of journalists at the Central Relief and Rehabilitation Coordination Center premises at Barisal Airport yesterday afternoon.

The Chief Adviser hailed starting relief distribution work by different political parties and organisations saying that it was the duties and responsibilities of political parties to stand beside the distressed people and help them to overcome the crisis. The political parties would be benefited in the long run for their tasks for this noble cause.

He also urged the political parties to carry out their relief activities in coordination with local administration and local government.

Communications Adviser and Chief Coordinator of Relief and Rehabilitation Work Major General (Retd) MA Matin, GOC of 55 Division of Bangladesh Army Major General Rafiqul Islam, senior officials of the district and divisional administration and Armed Forces were present during the press briefing of the Chief Adviser at Barisal Airport.

Meanwhile, US Charge d Affairs Geeta Pasi said yesterday that Bangladesh was a good friend of the United States and the assistance for the distressed people in the cyclone-affected areas of Bangladesh would continue as long as they needed.

While talking with journalists at Barisal Airport, she said both the United States and Bangladesh had been working side by side over the years, including the all times of joy and sorrow.

"The United States feels very anxiousness about the Sidr hit people of Bangladesh and the US forces are carrying out relief operations under the guidance of the Bangladesh government, and they are accompanied by the Bangladeshi officials to the affected areas," she said.

"We're satisfied about the relief and rehabilitation activities and steps taken by the Bangladesh government in before and after the cyclone Sidr as well as their success in disaster management.

The US will provide additional 10 million dollars to help distressed people," she also said.

Brigadier General Ronald L Bailey, Brigade Commander of the Third Marine Expeditionary Brigade of the USA, also accompanied the US envoy to the affected areas during her visits.

Meanwhile, Communi-cations Adviser Major General MA Matin said yesterday that there was no scope of raising controversies about the movement of foreign forces in the cyclone Sidr affected areas.

Reiterating his earlier comments, Matin said the foreign forces, including US Marines came to serve the distressed people in Bangladesh and would not stay for a single more day than required for relief and rehabilitation operations.

Meanwhile, the US Navy helicopters yesterday resumed delivery of emergency supplies to survivors of the deadly cyclone along the country's southern coast in a joint relief operation, officials said.

Helicopters from the USS Kearsarge started airlifting 5,000 water containers on Monday to remote areas of Dublar Char, Bagherat and Barguna, the worst affected districts in the November 15 cyclone that killed more than 3,200 people.

Survivors of the storm, many of them without food, water or shelter, welcomed the aid.

"They have come all the way from a distant country to help us. It is a blessing from Allah," said Abdus Salam, a 65-year-old farmer in Barguna district.

"They are bringing us water and food. That is what we now need most," said Salam, who lost two children in the cyclone.

In the coming days, US troops also will deliver food and other supplies, help set up water purification plants and provide medical care to victims.

"I believe our operation is going very well," said Rear Admiral Carol Pottenger, the commander of USS Kearsarge, yesterday.

Pottenger said her teams are working in cooperation with Bangladeshi authorities. Clean water, medicines and food remain the most priority need for the desperate survivors, she said.

Bangladesh has received pledges of international aid of more than $500 million, including $250 million from the World Bank.

The US will also help airlift 160 tons of relief goods from Bangladeshi government supplies, the American Embassy said.

A US military KC-130 aircraft arrived at the Zia International Airport to deliver water purification systems to affected areas. A second American ship, the USNS Concord, was nearby to re-supply the Kearsarge, the US Embassy said.

With many wells destroyed by the cyclone, there was a critical need for clean water to prevent the spread of cholera and diarrhea.

The US Embassy also said an Army medical team that had been in Bangladesh on a separate mission was deployed to Pataukhali district along with medics from the Kearsarge.

The Bangladesh military is constructing more than 200 helipads in the coastal region, said the US Embassy sources. The government will give loans and materials to rebuild homes, a source said. More than 4,50,000 homes were damaged by the cyclone.

At least 13 Bangladesh navy ships also were involved in relief work, distributing food and clothes. India and Pakistan have also sent military planes and hospital ships.

The Asian Development Bank said natural disasters in Bangladesh this year might bring down the country's GDP growth to below 6 per cent, from 6.5 percent predicted earlier.

The ADB said economic losses from floods have amounted to $1.4 billion. The bank was still assessing the losses from the latest cyclone.