MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce $100 000 in emergency aid to Bangladesh which, on
Monday, was ravaged by cyclonic winds, leaving about one million people
homeless.
Cyclone 'One Bravo' lashed the coast of Bangladesh with winds in excess of
200 kilometers an hour, with reports of 95 deaths, injuries to over 7 300 people
and damage to about 512 000 houses.
In 1991 a cyclone which hit the same area left over 140 000 dead.
The scale of this disaster could have been a lot worse but for the emergency
provisions put in place by the Government of Bangladesh. The fact that the
cyclone struck at low tide and during the day when visibility was good, meant
that people were better able to access emergency shelter and supplies.
Early reports indicate that most of the damage has been to property.
Many of the country's rural poor live in mud and bamboo houses, which bore
the brunt of the cyclone's force. Over one million people are now homeless.
Australia's assistance will be used for reconstruction and rehabilitation,
allowing people to return to their communities as soon as possible.
Media contact: Kirk Coningham (Mr Downer's Office) 06 277
7500/0411 414 695 Mark Giffard (AusAID) 06 206 4968