Aid ship arrives in Bangladesh

A US naval ship has arrived near Bangladesh’s coast to help the region ravaged by Cyclone Sidr, the top US military commander in the Pacific Ocean said today.

The USS Kearsage is preparing to send much-needed food and medical supplies to the area.

The ship’s arrival comes amid warnings that the country faces acute food shortages after the devastating storm destroyed crops and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

“We are here to help the people in their time of need,” Adm Timothy Keating told reporters, adding that the Bangladesh government requested the assistance.

The first ship arrived yesterday and Mr Keating said a second ship, the USS Essex, would arrive in coming days.

The Bangladesh government has pledged to feed more than two million people left destitute by the storm, which killed roughly 3,200 people.