Bangladesh relief effort ends

[unhappycamper]

Bangladesh relief effort ends
By Parveen Ahmed - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Dec 6, 2007 6:56:06 EST

ABOARD USS TARAWA — U.S. military help in relief operations in cyclone-battered Bangladesh ended Thursday but civilian efforts will continue, officials from the two countries said.

Bangladesh army chief Gen. Moeen U. Ahmed, onboard the amphibious assault ship Tarawa, said the military relief operation, dubbed Sea Angel II, had come to an end and the ship would leave soon.

Geeta Pasi, charge d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, said civilian aid agencies including USAID would continue relief efforts.

Cyclone Sidr slammed into Bangladesh’s coastal areas Nov. 15, leaving more than 3,200 people dead and millions homeless.

Helicopters from the Tarawa, which took over from the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge on Monday, made final sorties Thursday, dropping food, water and medicine, said Capt. John Beal. The operation involved 20 helicopters.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_tarawa_071206/