Bradford Council is to give £20,000 to help the victims of the Bangladesh cyclone disaster.

The Council has agreed to give the British Red Cross the donation following the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr last week.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Robin Owens, said: "There are thousands of people in the Bradford district who have connections with Bangladesh and they must be very worried about their families and friends.

"This donation will go towards helping the British Red Cross with their work in taking supplies like emergency shelter, food, clean water and basic healthcare to the survivors.

"Our hearts go out to the Bangladeshi communities, here and abroad, at this time."

The go-ahead for the donation was given by the leaders of the Council's three main political parties, Tory Council Leader Councillor Kris Hopkins, Labour Councillor Ian Greenwood and Councillor Jeanette Sunderland for the LibDems.

Councillor Mohammad Masood, executive member for corporate services, said: "As someone of Bangladeshi origin, I am extremely grateful to the Council for this very generous and kind donation to the victims of the disaster on behalf of the people of Bradford district."

The death toll in the wake of the cyclone has risen to 3,100, but the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society fears the final figure could be as high as 10,000.

The country has asked for foreign aid to help the thousands of survivors. Both the British Red Cross and Save the Children launched emergency appeals to help fund the relief effort after last Thursday's devastating storm.

British aid workers with Oxfam have also been on standby to go to Bangladesh and help.

More than 800,000 homes have been affected by the cyclone, with 500,000 destroyed, according to the Red Cross.

Bangladesh's interim leader Fakhruddin Ahmed has also been on tour of some of the hardest-hit areas to see the devastation for himself.

He has been handing out food to survivors and promising they would be given as much help as possible.

Meanwhile helicopters have been airlifting food to reach the remote areas.

e-mail: kathie.grififths@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

People urged to help victims

A Bradford charity is helping to support the £3 million emergency appeal for victims of the Bangladesh cyclone.

The Bradford branch of Islamic Relief, based in Carlisle Road, is urging residents to back the national appeal in the wake of Cyclone Sidr.

Phase one will concentrate on distributing emergency supplies, including food, blankets, jerry cans and shelter kits. Phase two of the project will focus on long-term help, including building shelters.

Area manager Waseem Aslam said: "We need help to distribute posters and leaflets in mosques, colleges and university noticeboards, workplaces, retail shops and supermarkets."

For more information, log on to www.islamic-relief.com or contact Mr Aslam on 07813 675528.

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