The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

UK's Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander MP arrives here on Tuesday to visit Bangladesh's Sidr-hit areas.

Alexander will visit the cyclone-affected areas to see the practical impact of the UK's $14 million relief assistance for the cyclone victims to reconstruct their lives and livelihoods, said a DFID press release on Monday.

"I, like many in the UK, was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the devastation caused to Bangladesh by Cyclone Sidr. We salute the resilience of the Bangladeshi people in the face of adversity," he said.

"As friends of Bangladesh, the UK will continue to support both the immediate relief effort and the long-term measures to rebuild and earn livelihoods and protect against the impact of future disasters," he added.

The UK envoy will also call on the Foreign Affairs Adviser and the Finance Adviser to discuss the UK's development relationship with Bangladesh and the caretaker government's progress on the roadmap to elections before the end of 2008.

Besides, he will visit slum sites which are being transformed by the new DFID-supported 'Urban Partnership for Poverty Reduction' programme.

His short visit will conclude with a press conference on Wednesday. MP Alexander previously visited Bangladesh in December 2004 in capacity of Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.