The U.S. and Britain promised more aid for the victims of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh. Washington’s USD10 million donation includes 3,000 tons of Food for Peace assistance, which the U.S. Agency for International Development has made available as grants to CARE and Save the Children. Britain’s funding aims to give clean water access to 260,000 families, and food and emergency goods to 700,000 families, as well as help reconstruct 16,000 homes. “This food aid is not just a lifesaving measure, but a visible demonstration of the goodwill of the American people to Bangladeshis in their time of need,” said USAID assistant administrator for democracy, conflict and humanitarian assistance Michael Hess. “Unless emergency relief supplies get to victims it is all too likely that more people will die needlessly,” added International Development secretary Douglas Alexander. (Sources: More aid, more pledges/The Daily Star; Britain ups aid package to Bangladesh after cyclone/AFP)
