More aid reaching victims as cyclone´s death toll rises in Bangladesh

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-19-2007 08:54

A mother in a veil takes her injured daughter to a hospital in Barisal district town, south west of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, Nov. 17, 2007. Military ships and helicopters were trying on Saturday to reach thousands of survivors of a super cyclone that killed more than 1,600 people and pummelled impoverished Bangladesh with mighty winds and waves. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The number of people killed by cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh is now more than 2,300. But there are fears more than 10,000 are dead.

Military helicopters, naval ships and thousands of troops are searching for survivors and distributing aid. And many countries have allocated funds and relief for the victims.

Grieving survivors and rescuers pick through the rubble left by the cyclone.

Relief officials warn the death toll could jump sharply as rescuers reach more isolated areas.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society says the overall figure could reach 10,000.

A huge effort is underway to get food, water and shelter to tens of thousands affected by the storm.

Air force helicopters, along with ships from the navy and coast guard rescue people and carry food to victims.

The government has allocated more than five million US dollars in emergency aid for rebuilding houses.

Teams from international aid organizations work along side troops in a massive rescue effort that is attracting help from around the world.

Foreign governments and international groups have pledged over 30 million US dollars for help.

Meanwhile, the World Food Program is sending 10,000 metric tons of rice and 200 tons of high protein biscuits.

Cyclone Sidr swept across Bangladesh's south and southwestern coastal regions on Thursday, affecting almost 3 million people.

Hundreds of thousands of homes were flattened. The storm completely destroyed 95 percent of rice crops.

It was the strongest cyclone in Bangladesh since a 1991 storm killed some 143,000 people.