US ends military relief operation, but civilian efforts to continue

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The US military ended its relief operations in the cyclone-battered districts of Bangladesh Thursday, but civilian efforts would continue, a news report said, quoting officials from both countries.
The Associated Press quoted army chief General Moeen U Ahmed as saying that the operations came to an end and the ship would leave Bangladesh waters soon, reports bdnews24.com.
Geeta Pasi, chargé d'affaires at the US embassy in Dhaka, said civilian aid agencies including USAID would continue relief efforts, the AP report said.
Helicopters from the USS Tarawa, which took over from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge Monday, made final sorties Thursday, dropping food, water and medicine, said captain John Beal.
The operation involved 20 helicopters.
Since Nov 22 last, the US military has delivered more than 113,000 kilogrammes of food and medicine and 54,000 litres of drinking water. The US ships' medical teams also treated 2,355 people, the offi cials said.
The USS Tarawa also participated in relief operations in 1991, dubbed Operation Sea Angel I, when a powerful cyclone killed about 140,000 people in Bangladesh.
The tropical cyclone Sidr slammed into the coastal areas on the night of November 15, leaving more than 3,200 people dead and millions homeless.
Meanwhile, UNB adds: Assistant administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Dr Kent Hill will arrive in the city today (Friday) on a three-day visit to Bangladesh.
Hill is head of the Agency's Bureau of Global Health, whose programmes represent the commitment and determination of the US government to prevent sufferings, save lives and create a brighter future for families in the developing world.
With an annual budget of over $1.6 billion (160 crore), USAID's health programmes are confronting global health challenges by improving quality, availability and use of essential health services.
Hill will visit some noted USAID health projects in Tongi and Bhaluka, including a Smiling Sun Health Clinic, the Social Marketing Company (SMC) oral rehydration salts factory, SMC Blue Star Pharmacy as well as the Bangladesh HIV/AIDS programme in Dhaka.