Government pledges €500,000 for cyclone relief

THE Government yesterday pledged €500,000 towards the massive relief effort in cyclone-devastated Bangladesh.

The death toll from Thursday’s cyclone in Bangladesh is now more than 3,100, and officials say that number could reach 10,000 once rescuers get to outlying islands. Rescuers are struggling to reach thousands of survivors, and relief items have been slow to reach many. Survivors grieved and buried their loved ones yesterday as they waited for aid to arrive.

Minister of State for Overseas Development Michael Kitt has earmarked the donation through the Government’s Irish Aid fund for developing countries.

“Cyclone Sidr has caused widespread devastation in Bangladesh,” he said.

“Irish Aid funding will help meet the immediate needs of those worst affected, many of whom have lost their homes and livelihoods.”

The death toll from the cyclone reached 3,113 after reports finally reached Dhaka from storm-ravaged areas which had been largely cut off because of washed-out roads and downed telephone lines, said army spokesman Lt Col Main Ullah Chowdhury.

The coast abounded with grim tales following Tropical Cyclone Sidr — the worst cyclone to hit Bangladesh in a decade. Many grieving families had to bury their loved ones in the same grave because no male member was available to dig them.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, the Islamic equivalent of the Red Cross, also warned the toll could hit 10,000.

The society’s chairman, Mohammad Abdur Rob, said the estimate came from the assessments of thousands of volunteers involved in rescue operations across the battered region.