U.S. Government Provides $295,000 For Disaster Relief Assistance Following Cyclonic Storm Aila

On behalf of the American people, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka expresses its deepest sympathy to the families affected by Cyclonic Storm Aila.

Due to the magnitude of the damage caused by Aila in Bangladesh, United States Ambassador James F. Moriarty has issued a disaster declaration. This declaration will provide US$100,000 from the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to CARE and World Vision for emergency assistance to cyclone- affected areas. In addition, the U.S. Government, through USAID, will provide US$195,000 for emergency survival packs that include plastic sheeting, eating utensils, candles, rope, soap, matches and mosquito netting to distribute to Aila-affected people. The U.S. Government has deployed 14 mobile water purification machines to supply drinking water. Each unit is capable of producing 50,000 liters of clean drinking water per day, providing 700,000 liters per day to 70,000 households without drinking water.

The U.S. Government has worked closely with partners in disaster relief and mitigation in Bangladesh for many years. The United States Government provided $111.5 million in the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr in November 2007 to provide new income opportunities, restore property, and help rebuild lives.

The U.S. Government has funded construction and maintenance of multi-purpose flood and cyclone shelters throughout the country as well as wave protection walls and earthen embankments to reduce flood damage. In addition to building nearly 4,000 such structures since 2005, USAID has trained local disaster management committees to oversee emergency response activities and provided cyclone preparedness training.