Cyclone-hit Bangladesh said Saturday it had received pledges of 470 million dollars' worth of aid and described the response to the disaster as "overwhelming."
The November 15 storm left at least 3,400 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. More than a week after the devastating storm, countless victims remained without enough supplies of food, water and medicine. "We have so far received aid pledges worth 470 million dollars," disaster management ministry official Ayub Mia said.
"In addition, there are huge amounts of aid coming from private donors, Bangladeshi expatriates and charities. So the response is overwhelming." Of the total aid, the World Bank has pledged 250 million dollars, the Asian Development Bank 20 million dollars and the United Nations 35 million dollars.
"With the aid, the government has planned to feed some 2.5 million families for at least four months. It's a huge relief operation and it will go on until the next crop is harvested," he said. The military-led relief effort was working to get fresh water and dry goods to as many survivors as possible.
Relief had been slow to reach all affected areas due to logistical problems caused by roads being blocked or washed away by the cyclone-powered tidal surge. US marines were airlifting water to some of the hardest-hit villages in southern coastal areas.