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Dhaka appeals for global aid

DHAKA: Bangladesh has made an appeal to the international community to help the cyclone victims and for rehabilitation as the official count put the death toll in the catastrophe at 3,447 till Tuesday.

The Bangladesh Army has been engaged in massive relief and relief operations in the battered southern coast which was devastated by last Thursday’s super cyclone Sidr which left a trail of destruction in its wake.

According to the army’s disaster management wing, the number of injured stood at 3,322, and the missing numbered 1,063 till Tuesday. Around 32.73 lakh people belonging to more than 9 lakh families have been rendered homeless.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a statement, “It’s our view that our friends will come forward to assist us at this hour of our need.” He said the government was doing everything, “but the magnitude of the calamity has been just too great.”

Earlier, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said the government is making every effort to cope with the adversity. However, he said, “At this time, we’ll welcome support from the international community,” through the government, to help mitigate the effects of the disaster.

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