JEDDAH, 19 November 2007 — Saudi Arabia yesterday announced emergency aid of $100 million to Bangladesh’s cyclone victims, the Saudi Press Agency said.
“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has instructed the finance minister to provide emergency assistance to Bangladesh,” SPA said.
The Kingdom will also provide medical assistance as well as relief supplies which will be flown aboard Saudi Air Force planes.
“$100 million will be given to supply emergency requirements in coordination with the Saudi Red Crescent Society and international humanitarian organizations,” an official statement said.
Earlier yesterday, King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan sent messages of condolences to Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed on the deaths and destruction caused by the cyclone.
The super cyclone killed between 5,000 and 10,000, the head of Bangladesh Red Crescent said. “The death toll has already reached 3,000 confirmed dead,” said M. Abdur Rab, chairman of the Red Crescent Society, the country’s largest humanitarian organization. “It may cross 5,000, but it will remain below 10,000,” he added.
Officials have stressed that many more victims are expected to be found in remote areas still to be reached by the army and relief workers.
At least 1.5 million coastal villagers fled to shelters where they were given emergency rations.
Sidr’s 150 mph winds smashed tens of thousands of homes on Thursday in southwestern Bangladesh and ruined crops just before the harvest season.
