More US-Bangla efforts to fight disasters stressed
Bangladesh and the US yesterday commemorated the joint contributions by the armed forces of the two countries in dealing with cyclones of Bangladesh in 1991 and 2007, expecting to boost such partnership to protect humanity.
Recalling the devastation of the cyclones and peoples' vulnerabilities, they said "Operation Sea Angel", a joint operation by Bangladesh Armed Forces and members of US Marine Forces Pacific Command greatly reduced casualties.
Bangladesh Armed Forces Division (AFD) and US Embassy in Dhaka organised the commemoration ceremony at Army Golf Club in the capital.
Thanking the veterans of Operation Sea Angel, Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque said, "I gratefully acknowledge the support of our great allies, the USA, in our disaster response and recovery efforts, specially in 1991 and 2007."
The two cyclones killed nearly 140,000 lives and affected over four million families in economic and social terms.
Apart from civil and military efforts of Bangladesh, local and international NGOs, US armed force was one of the actors that stood by the vulnerable people with their support of airlifting, logistics and other humanitarian relief materials.
"I deeply appreciate the commitment of our Armed Forces in all kinds of national calls to stand beside the affected people. Operation Sea Angel definitely helped us addressing problems of access and egress soon after the disaster hit," said Razzaque.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty said the ceremony is a time for reflection on the events of 1991 and an opportunity to celebrate the progress made by Bangladesh in terms of recovery and rebuilding in the wake of devastating cyclone.
"This is a testament to the resilience of the Bangladeshi people, a capability we in the US can learn from," he told the ceremony where armed forces who took part in the Operation Sea Angel were present.
The partnership that emerged after 1991 showcases how two nations can collaborate toward a common goal, Moriarty said, adding that this in the last 20 years has made tremendous impact on Bangladesh's ability to respond internally to recurring disasters.
The US focus is how to work with Bangladesh to ensure that this country is even better prepared when the next cyclone or other disaster strikes, he noted.
Recalling the partnership of soldiers of both the countries, Prime Minister's Defense Adviser major general (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique said, "We have to further prepare to manage impacts of climate change."
The US Marine Forces Pacific Command's commander Lt Gen Duane D Thiessen, Operation Sea Angel Commander in 1991 Lt Gen (retd) Henry Hank Stackpole, Lt Gen (retd) M Noor Uddin Khan, former US Ambassador to Bangladesh William B Milam, Rear Admiral (retd) Abu Taher, AFD Principal Staff Officer Lt Gen Abdul Wadud also spoke.
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