The New Nation - Internet Edition

The UK's Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander MP, arrive s today in Bangladesh for a short visit.

During his visit to Bangladesh Alexander intends to visit southern areas affected by Cyclone Sidr, to see the practical impact of the UK's $14 million relief assistance in helping Bangladeshi people to reconstruct lives and livelihoods. Mr Alexander said,

"I, like many in the UK, was deeply saddened by the loss of life and the devastation caused to Bangladesh by Cyclone Sidr. We salute the resilience of the Bangladeshi people in the face of adversity. As friends of Bangladesh, the UK will continue to support both the immediate relief effort and the longer-term measures to rebuild and adapt livelihoods and protect against the impact of future disasters."

Alexander 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. Additionally, he will visit slum sites which are being transformed by the new DFID-supported 'Urban Partnerships for Poverty Reduction' programme. His visit will conclude with a press conference on 19 December. Alexander previously visited Bangladesh in December 2004 in his capacity of Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.