DHAKA (AFP) — A military-led relief effort to deliver aid to thousands of cyclone survivors in southern Bangladesh moved into higher gear Monday with a fleet of US helicopters also joining the aid operation.
Deliveries of aid had been hampered by huge logistical hurdles after many roads were washed away by a six-metre (20-foot) tidal wave or blocked by fallen trees during the killer storm.
At least 3,400 people died in the November 15 cyclone. Some 1,700 are still missing and more than 360,000 homeless and in desperate need of supplies.
"Things are falling into place very quickly," said UN coordinator in Bangladesh Renata Lok Dessallien, adding that most people had now received at least one batch of aid.
US marines were flying around 20 helicopters from the amphibious assault vessel the USS Kearsarge.
Millions of litres of water were being produced by water purification plants on board to be air lifted to victims who have been short of clean water and food for days.
But officials have repeatedly played down the US military's involvement, appearing reluctant to publicise the operation.
Bangladesh is a Muslim country of 144 million people where opposition to the US-led war in Iraq is strong.
Captain Adam Potter, 28, however, told AFP he was happy to be "helping these people on the ground who clearly need it."
"We will be here as long as we are needed and as long as we are invited," he said.
Others praised Bangladesh's response to the disaster.
"I have nothing but respect for the Bangladeshi military operation here," said Lieutenant Colonel Frank Donovan at the southern Barisal airport where the Bangladesh military has set up a command centre.
"Their operation is well planned and coordinated and we are just trying to assist with what they have planned," the marine said.
UN coordinator Dessallien warned that proper coordination between the military and aid agencies remained vital.
"The first drops (deliveries) having been made, we have noticed that everyone wants to serve the worst-hit districts, and districts that were badly affected but not the worst affected are getting less," she said.
"We have to be sure that aid is being used properly," she said, explaining that some aid groups were depositing materials to be distributed by local officials. Bangladesh is regularly named as one of the world's most corrupt and poorest countries.
Donor countries and agencies have pledged aid worth 470 million dollars but Dessallien urged new donors to give food rather than cash to reduce delays.
"There is a very strong need for donors to come forward with food and to ship it," she said.
The United Nations estimates the cyclone has affected 6.7 million people in 30 of the country's 64 districts, causing severe economic losses.
Relief workers said food and water was getting through but there was still a danger of an outbreak of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera.
In many coastal areas, water supplies have been contaminated by saline water and dead animals.
"Our top priority is to clean up the carcasses and debris from the ponds so that villagers can get easy access to drinking water," said Heather Blackwell, Bangladesh head of British charity Oxfam.
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