(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-16 10:08

DHAKA - A top official of the World Bank pledged here Saturday the world body would provide additional US$25 million for cyclone-struck Bangladesh.

Myanmar refugees near the Thai-Myanmar border, September 2007. The European Commission said Saturday it had boosted aid to Bangladesh to more than 10.5 million euros (US$15 million) with a new package to relocate thousands of Myanmar refugees. [Agencies]

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Praful C. Patel said " More is needed, more is deserved by Bangladesh in the way of international community support as the magnitude of the devastation is huge and the challenge of rebuilding the lives of the victims is formidable."

Patel made the pledge after visiting some of the Cyclone Sidr- hit areas in Bangladesh. Previously, the World Bank made a commitment to provide US$250 million to Bangladesh to cover its immediate, mid and long-term needs.

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Patel said that "The devastation caused by the cyclone was shocking," and he is convinced that the bank needs to do a bit more to help the Bangladeshi government.

He would now recommend to the Board for a quick-disbursement amount to US$100 million which will be available by January. Out of the amount, US$50 million will be provided as grant from Global Disaster Reduction Fund.

Of the total amount, US$50 million would be available by April next year to help people to rebuild their livelihoods and remaining US$125 million is for supporting the long-term vision of disaster prevention and management.

Patel said the World Bank may further increase its assistance after the assessment mission submits its report by January.

The Cyclone Sidr, one of the fiercest cyclones hit Bangladesh in the last 131 years, slammed the country's southern and southwestern areas on November 15, affecting 30 out of total 64 districts and leaving thousands of people dead and millions homeless.