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.