Foreign aid pledges pour in

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The United Nations, European Commission (EC), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and many countries have announced emergency relief packages for Bangladesh's cyclone victims, report UNB and BSS.
The UN approved $9.0 million, while the EC euro 6.5 million, the IDB $2,00,000, Kuwait $10.0 million, Denmark $0.9 million, Germany Tk 122.2 million, the Netherlands euro 1.0 million, Libya $1.0 million and Korea $0.5 million for the cyclone victims.
Besides, the US Tuesday assured long-term assistance for the country's cyclone-hit people in addition to its emergency aid of $2.1 million.
"So, we are here to help Bangladeshi people…Our desire is to build a strong and long-term partnership with Bangladesh," Director of US Foreign Assistance and USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore told the reporters at Zia International Airport (ZIA).
She said, two US naval ships will arrive here with on-board helicopters, medical teams and emergency evacuation teams to join the relief operation. The first will arrive on November 24 and the second on November 27.
Fore, who arrived in the city Tuesday for a 24-hour visit and flew over some worst hit areas, said, "This is a need, and it will be a long-term need," adding that she had discussions with the Chief Adviser and officials of the Food and Disaster Ministry on emergency and long-term assistance.
She said, the US will look into schemes on education in health, assistance in rural electrification, telecommunications and construction of embankment.
The USAID Administrator said, two US assessment teams are now working here with the Bangladesh government, and at the end of this week they should have good assessment of damages, caused by super cyclone 'SIDR.'
"We are working with the government, the army and NGOs in a right way to rebuild houses, and rebuild lives," she said.
A C-130 US cargo plane Tuesday landed at ZIA with first consignment of relief goods worth $1,61,000. The items include 5,000 blankets, 2,520 hygienic kits, 2,500 jerrycans, 300 plastic sheets and energy biscuits.
Meanwhile, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes Monday approved $9.0 million in support of the UN relief operations from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) with an additional announcement expected today (Wednesday).