By IANS
Brussels : The European Commission said Thursday that it will give another 12 million euro for assistance to people affected by the SIDR cyclone in Bangladesh last November, the EuAsiaNews reported.
Relief will focus on providing food aid and also supplying emergency aid such as shelter, water and sanitation and emergency livelihoods support, noted the EU’s executive body in a statement.
“The situation of the population affected by the SIDR cyclone remains extremely worrying as the scars of the catastrophe’s aftermath are still clearly visible. The region is prone to natural disasters and these funds will help the most vulnerable to rebuild their lives under better conditions”, said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel.
On Nov 15, 2007, the SIDR cyclone hit the coast of southwest Bangladesh with winds of up to 240 km per hour. Since then, more than nine million people have been directly affected by the cyclone which caused extensive damages to houses, water and sanitation infrastructures.
Operations will be implemented by International NGOs, the Red Cross Movement and specialised United Nations agencies already operating in the region.
This new allocation brings the European Commission’s support for the Bangaldeshi cyclone victims to a total of 20.5 million euro.