Cyclone Sidr
U.S. Response to Cyclone Sidr: Operation Sea Angel II
On November 15, Cyclone Sidr made landfall in southern Bangladesh with winds of 155 miles per hour. The cyclone has resulted in an estimated 4,000 deaths and the displacement of over three million people. On November 16, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Geeta Pasi declared a disaster in response to the damage caused by the cyclone. The U.S. government is providing over $19 million in assistance. A USAID disaster assessment team arrived in Bangladesh on November 19, and the U.S. naval ship U.S.S. Kearsarge arrived on November 23 to offer assistance and support. The operation has been named Sea Angel II.
Bangladeshi Alumni of State Department Exchange Program Distribute Relief to Victims of Hurricane Sidr
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| YES alumnus distributing food to cyclone victims in Patuakhali |
In the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr, one of the worst natural disasters in Bangladesh history, alumni of the State Department’s Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program stepped up to deliver aid and relief to those affected by the storm, applying the lessons of volunteerism they learned during a year of study in the United States. The YES Program provides scholarships for high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the United States.
The cyclone caused far-reaching damage across 30 of the country’s 64 districts, and affecting the lives of 8.9 million people with early estimates placing economic damage at $2.3 billion. An estimated 3,500 have died. The volunteerism of groups like those led by YES-alumnus Sharid Khan played a crucial role in helping Bangladesh recover from such overwhelming loss. Khan’s team of fellow YES-alumni and volunteers from the Bangladesh Education and Resource Network (bEARN) traveled to the Patuakhali District and distributed donated food and clothing, supplying much-needed relief to the people of the area in southern Bangladesh. The group also visited a devastated school in the area and graciously lent use of their boat to a village stranded by the hurricane. Upon their return, the YES alumni and bEARN have remained committed to continuing to coordinating relief for Hurricane Sidr victims.
FACT SHEETS AND MAPS
USAID Cyclone Sidr Fact Sheet (March 31, 2008) (pdf)
Map of U.S. Government Assistance in Areas of Bangladesh Affected by Cyclone Sidr (updated March 31, 2008) (pdf)
Map of U.S. Government Cyclone Sidr Humanitarian Assistance to Bangladesh (November 19, 2007) (pdf)
Fact Sheet on U.S.S. Tarawa (pdf)
Fact Sheet on U.S.S. Kearsarge (pdf)
STATEMENTS AND TRANSCRIPTS
House of Representatives Resolution Expressing Sympathy and Support to the Victims of Cyclone Sidr (December 4, 2007)
Statement by the Secretary of State: Bangladesh: U.S. Government Disaster Relief Support Following Cyclone Sidr (November 18, 2007)
Statement by the White House: President and Mrs. Bush Extend Condolences to Victims of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh (November 17, 2007)
PRESS RELEASES AND ARTICLES
USAID Article: Local woman works as USAID diplomat (January 4, 2008) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: U.S. CDA, a.i. To Host Webchat On Cyclone Sidr | In Bangla (December 11, 2007) (pdf)
USAID Press Release: USAID Assistant Administrator Thanks Health Projects For Their Assistance To Sidr Affected | In Bangla (December 8, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: Statement of Brigadier General Ronald Bailey at the Armed Forces Division (December 7, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: “We’re Here for the Long Term” U.S. Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Geeta Pasi Speech on Operation Sea Angel II (December 7, 2007) (pdf)
USAID Press Release: USAID Assistant Administrator Arrives Tomorrow | In Bangla (December 6, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: Bangladeshi Officers Assist in Relief Efforts from Kearsarge | In Bangla (December 4, 2007) (pdf)
USS Kearsarge Press Release: Tarawa Relieves Kearsarge in on-going HA/DR Efforts in Bangladesh (December 3, 2007) (pdf)
USS Tarawa Press Release: Tarawa Arrives to Aid in Tropical Cyclone Humanitarian Efforts (December 3, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: U.S. Cyclone Relief Dubbed “Operation Sea Angel II” | In Bangla (December 2, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: Press Release (December 1, 2007) (pdf)
USS Kearsarge Press Release: Kearsarge Delivers 12,434 Gallons of Water to Bangladesh (November 29, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Marines Press Release: 3rd MEB CG visits cyclone relief distribution hub (November 29, 2007)
USAID Press Release: USAID Provides Additional $5M for Emergency Food for Bangladesh | In Bangla (November 28, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Marines Press Release: U.S. continues aid of Sidr-impacted regions (November 28, 2007)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: Additional U.S. Relief Supplies Arrive for Cyclone Victims (November 28, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: 3rd Meb Arrives in Bangladesh to Aid Sidr Victims | In Bangla (November 27, 2007) (pdf)
USAID Press Release: USAID Pledges Over $10M For Emergency Food For Bangladesh In Bangla (November 27, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: U.S. Ramping Up Cyclone Response Activities | In Bangla (November 26, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Marines Press Release: USS Kearsarge Assists in Relief Efforts (November 24, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Marines Press Release: 22nd MEU (SOC) Delivers First Military Relief Aid To Bangladesh | In Bangla (November 24, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Marines Press Release: COMMARFORPAC Leads Relief Efforts | In Bangla (November 24, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: U.S. Ship Arrives To Commence Cyclone Relief Operations | In Bangla (November 24, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Visits Bangladesh, Discusses Relief Efforts | In Bangla (November 23, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Marines Press Release: U.S. Marine Corps Pacific Leads Cyclone Relief Efforts (November 23, 2007) (pdf)
USINFO Report: U.S. Sends Ships, Supplies to Cyclone-Devastated Bangladesh (November 20, 2007) (pdf)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: USAID Administrator Arrives Tomorrow | In Bangla (November 19, 2007) (pdf)
USAID Press Release: USAID Encourages Cash Donations to Assist Disaster Victims in Bangladesh (November 19, 2007)
USAID Press Release: USAID Provides Additional $2M Disaster Relief for Bangladesh (November 17, 2007)
USAID Press Release: USAID Provides Cyclone Assistance to Bangladesh (November 16, 2007)
State Department Press Release: U.S. Government Disaster Relief Support for Bangladesh Following Cyclone Sidr (November 16, 2007)
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Press Release: U.S. Government Disaster Relief Support
Cyclone Sidr | In Bangla (November 16, 2007) (pdf)
BIOS
Biography of Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Geeta Pasi
Biography of USAID Director Denise A. Rollins
Biography of Admiral Timothy J. Keating,, USN, Commander, Pacific Command
Biography of Brigadier General Ronald L. Bailey, U.S. Marines, Commander, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Biography of Rear Admiral Carol M. Pottenger, USN, Commander, Amphibious Force, 7th Fleet
PHOTOS
Operation Sea Angel II
Photos from the Field
Photos from U.S. Marines, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
Photos from Asia-Pacific Area Network (APAN), Joint Forces Response Portal
LINKS
U.S. Agency for International Development
USAID Cyclone Sidr Relief
Bangladesh Cyclone Relief Blog: True Stories from the Front Lines of America's Cyclone Sidr Relief Efforts
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