USS Tarawa to start relief operation soon
Monday, 3 December 2007
A second US amphibious naval ship named 'Tarawa' will join the country's current cyclone relief operation soon, as American Marine Brig General Ronald Bailey said, historically it takes two weeks to meet the emergency relief needs for distressed people, reports UNB.
"But this time around, we have not yet finalised the date" for completing the emergency relief operation in the cyclone-battered coastal areas, he told the reporters at the American Club Sunday.
US Charge d' Affaires Geeta Pasi also spoke to the reporters on the current US efforts to help Bangladesh overcome the challenges posed by cyclone 'Sidr.'
USS Kearsarge entered Bangladesh waters on November 22, and started full-scale 'Operation Sea Angel - 11' a week before catering immediate need of pure water for the victims.
As of November 29, the Kearsarge has delivered over 12,000 gallons of water by helicopter to different hard-to-reach localities along the coast.
As the operation progressed, the warship engaged itself in airlifting foods from Dhaka to Barisal and distributing those to remote villages from 22 identified sites in the coastal belt following a coordination meeting between Bangladesh and the US armies.
In reply to a question, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Battalion (MEB) Commander Brig Gen Bailey said, it would take 3-4 days to take over the charge by the USS Tarawa from the USS Kearsarge and carry forward the operation.
Having the same capability as the Kearsarge, the Tarawa had conducted 'Operation Sea Angel' in Chittagong after the devastating cyclone in 1991, which took a toll of around 1,50,000 people dead.
In reply to a question, US Charge d' Affaires Geeta Pasi said, as a friend and long-term partner of Bangladesh, the US is "ready to do whatever needed on short, medium and long-term basis."
She said, USAID and DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team) are conducting assessment on the ground, and future plan would be worked out on their recommendations.
Pasi informed that the US has so far provided $19.5 million in cash and kind, including $15 million in food aid, which she said, an important issue for the country.
The US envoy said, they are waiting to receive full briefing from the Chief Adviser in a couple of days on what to do next in the cyclone-hit districts.
Asked about some demonstrations by cyclone victims for relief, Brig Gen Bailey said, the US marines in conjunction with the Bangladesh Army, NGOs and others are trying to reach relief supplies to the remote places.
"Our target is to reach food to as many people as we can" on the basis of recommendations and available information.
Asked about differences between the 1991 cyclone and cyclone 'Sidr' in terms of conducting relief operations, Bailey said, this time around it is a complicated operation. It is very difficult to get to remote areas, and it requires lot of lifts, coordination and information.
However, the US Brig Gen profusely praised the Bangladesh Army's basic works in setting up 96 helipads, office in Barisal and coordination in sending relief materials. "Many Bangladeshi Army officers are in our ship, and we have developed a very positive relations between us," he added.
"But this time around, we have not yet finalised the date" for completing the emergency relief operation in the cyclone-battered coastal areas, he told the reporters at the American Club Sunday.
US Charge d' Affaires Geeta Pasi also spoke to the reporters on the current US efforts to help Bangladesh overcome the challenges posed by cyclone 'Sidr.'
USS Kearsarge entered Bangladesh waters on November 22, and started full-scale 'Operation Sea Angel - 11' a week before catering immediate need of pure water for the victims.
As of November 29, the Kearsarge has delivered over 12,000 gallons of water by helicopter to different hard-to-reach localities along the coast.
As the operation progressed, the warship engaged itself in airlifting foods from Dhaka to Barisal and distributing those to remote villages from 22 identified sites in the coastal belt following a coordination meeting between Bangladesh and the US armies.
In reply to a question, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Battalion (MEB) Commander Brig Gen Bailey said, it would take 3-4 days to take over the charge by the USS Tarawa from the USS Kearsarge and carry forward the operation.
Having the same capability as the Kearsarge, the Tarawa had conducted 'Operation Sea Angel' in Chittagong after the devastating cyclone in 1991, which took a toll of around 1,50,000 people dead.
In reply to a question, US Charge d' Affaires Geeta Pasi said, as a friend and long-term partner of Bangladesh, the US is "ready to do whatever needed on short, medium and long-term basis."
She said, USAID and DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team) are conducting assessment on the ground, and future plan would be worked out on their recommendations.
Pasi informed that the US has so far provided $19.5 million in cash and kind, including $15 million in food aid, which she said, an important issue for the country.
The US envoy said, they are waiting to receive full briefing from the Chief Adviser in a couple of days on what to do next in the cyclone-hit districts.
Asked about some demonstrations by cyclone victims for relief, Brig Gen Bailey said, the US marines in conjunction with the Bangladesh Army, NGOs and others are trying to reach relief supplies to the remote places.
"Our target is to reach food to as many people as we can" on the basis of recommendations and available information.
Asked about differences between the 1991 cyclone and cyclone 'Sidr' in terms of conducting relief operations, Bailey said, this time around it is a complicated operation. It is very difficult to get to remote areas, and it requires lot of lifts, coordination and information.
However, the US Brig Gen profusely praised the Bangladesh Army's basic works in setting up 96 helipads, office in Barisal and coordination in sending relief materials. "Many Bangladeshi Army officers are in our ship, and we have developed a very positive relations between us," he added.