The Bangladeshi government says 23-hundred people were killed by the powerful cyclone that battered the south of the country last week, but aid organizations say the toll could be much higher.
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said on Sunday the death toll could reach 10-thousand, after more victims are discovered in hard-to-reach areas.
Authorities say Cyclone Sidr destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes, washed away roads and cut off electricity and telecommunications. The damage has made it difficult for local and international aid agencies to reach affected areas.
Bangladesh has deployed military ships and helicopters to help the relief efforts.
US military ships also are heading to Bangladesh to assist in relief operations. The US government says it has provided more than two million dollars in initial aid and is also airlifting plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and other supplies for survivors.
President Bush and his wife, Laura, offered condolences to the victims of the storm.
At the Vatican, Pope Benedict called for "every possible effort" to help the victims of the Bangladesh cyclone and he offered prayers for the dead.
The United Nations' humanitarian chief said Friday the UN has made several million dollars in emergency aid available to Bangladesh. And the World Food Program said it is sending rations for up to 400-thousand people affected by the storm.
Storms batter Bangladesh every year, killing hundreds of people. A cyclone that hit the country in 1970 killed about half a million people. Another in 1991 killed more than 130-thousand.
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said on Sunday the death toll could reach 10-thousand, after more victims are discovered in hard-to-reach areas.
Authorities say Cyclone Sidr destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes, washed away roads and cut off electricity and telecommunications. The damage has made it difficult for local and international aid agencies to reach affected areas.
Bangladesh has deployed military ships and helicopters to help the relief efforts.
US military ships also are heading to Bangladesh to assist in relief operations. The US government says it has provided more than two million dollars in initial aid and is also airlifting plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and other supplies for survivors.
President Bush and his wife, Laura, offered condolences to the victims of the storm.
At the Vatican, Pope Benedict called for "every possible effort" to help the victims of the Bangladesh cyclone and he offered prayers for the dead.
The United Nations' humanitarian chief said Friday the UN has made several million dollars in emergency aid available to Bangladesh. And the World Food Program said it is sending rations for up to 400-thousand people affected by the storm.
Storms batter Bangladesh every year, killing hundreds of people. A cyclone that hit the country in 1970 killed about half a million people. Another in 1991 killed more than 130-thousand.
