thedrifter
11-28-07, 07:11 AM
Water delivered in Bangladesh
JENNIFER HLAD
November 28, 2007 - 3:44AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Camp Lejeune-based Marines and sailors have delivered thousands of gallons of water and thousands of pounds of medical supplies to some areas of Bangladesh and are still working to reduce suffering in the areas hardest hit by Cyclone Sidr, a 22nd MEU spokesman said.
The USS Kearsarge arrived off the coast of Bangladesh last week to assist with the relief effort already under way in the country. They made the first water delivery Friday.
Monday, Marines and sailors based on the ship delivered an additional 2,500 gallons of water and 12,000 pounds of medical supplies to other areas of the country, said Capt. Clark Carpenter, spokesman for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Helicopters delivered additional water and supplies Tuesday.
The people of Bangladesh have been "very appreciative of our assistance," Carpenter said. "They are very receptive and friendly."
Cyclone Sidr hit low-lying Bangladesh on Nov. 15, killing more than 3,240 people and leaving another 1,180 missing and 34,500 injured.
The storm also destroyed numerous wells, creating a critical need for clean water.
One farmer in the Barguna district called the relief efforts "a blessing from Allah," according to Associated Press reports.
"They are bringing us water and food. That is what we now need most," the man said.
Helicopters from the USS Kearsarge delivered water to that region, as well as remote areas of Dublar Char and Bagherat, The Associated Press reported.
Much of the water the 22nd MEU delivered Monday and Tuesday was produced aboard the ship - which has the capability to produce 200,000 gallons of fresh water daily, Carpenter said.
"We've coordinated within the combined U.S. and Bangladeshi civil-military construct to ensure that we are getting water and supplies to the people who need it the most," said Col. Doug Stilwell, commanding officer of the 22nd MEU. "We have now moved into a more robust phase of operations."
The 22nd MEU is on a six-month deployment aboard three ships: the Kearsarge, the USS Gunston Hall and the USS Ponce. Only the Kearsarge was called to Bangladesh to help with the relief efforts.
The MEU is trained for a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance, Carpenter said.
"With our heavy and medium-lift helicopters, we can get supplies to many places that are difficult and time consuming to reach by other methods," Carpenter said. "That's what we've been doing for the past two days: using our helicopters to distribute much-needed water, medical supplies and food."
The Marines and sailors worked through the night to fill the water containers for the delivery, Stilwell said in a written release.
"I couldn't be more proud of how the Marines and sailors of the MEU and Kearsarge have pulled together to support this operation. Morale is high, and we are focused on helping as many of the citizens of Bangladesh as we possibly can," he said.
Contact military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8467. To comment on this story, visit www.jdnews.com.
Ellie
JENNIFER HLAD
November 28, 2007 - 3:44AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Camp Lejeune-based Marines and sailors have delivered thousands of gallons of water and thousands of pounds of medical supplies to some areas of Bangladesh and are still working to reduce suffering in the areas hardest hit by Cyclone Sidr, a 22nd MEU spokesman said.
The USS Kearsarge arrived off the coast of Bangladesh last week to assist with the relief effort already under way in the country. They made the first water delivery Friday.
Monday, Marines and sailors based on the ship delivered an additional 2,500 gallons of water and 12,000 pounds of medical supplies to other areas of the country, said Capt. Clark Carpenter, spokesman for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Helicopters delivered additional water and supplies Tuesday.
The people of Bangladesh have been "very appreciative of our assistance," Carpenter said. "They are very receptive and friendly."
Cyclone Sidr hit low-lying Bangladesh on Nov. 15, killing more than 3,240 people and leaving another 1,180 missing and 34,500 injured.
The storm also destroyed numerous wells, creating a critical need for clean water.
One farmer in the Barguna district called the relief efforts "a blessing from Allah," according to Associated Press reports.
"They are bringing us water and food. That is what we now need most," the man said.
Helicopters from the USS Kearsarge delivered water to that region, as well as remote areas of Dublar Char and Bagherat, The Associated Press reported.
Much of the water the 22nd MEU delivered Monday and Tuesday was produced aboard the ship - which has the capability to produce 200,000 gallons of fresh water daily, Carpenter said.
"We've coordinated within the combined U.S. and Bangladeshi civil-military construct to ensure that we are getting water and supplies to the people who need it the most," said Col. Doug Stilwell, commanding officer of the 22nd MEU. "We have now moved into a more robust phase of operations."
The 22nd MEU is on a six-month deployment aboard three ships: the Kearsarge, the USS Gunston Hall and the USS Ponce. Only the Kearsarge was called to Bangladesh to help with the relief efforts.
The MEU is trained for a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance, Carpenter said.
"With our heavy and medium-lift helicopters, we can get supplies to many places that are difficult and time consuming to reach by other methods," Carpenter said. "That's what we've been doing for the past two days: using our helicopters to distribute much-needed water, medical supplies and food."
The Marines and sailors worked through the night to fill the water containers for the delivery, Stilwell said in a written release.
"I couldn't be more proud of how the Marines and sailors of the MEU and Kearsarge have pulled together to support this operation. Morale is high, and we are focused on helping as many of the citizens of Bangladesh as we possibly can," he said.
Contact military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8467. To comment on this story, visit www.jdnews.com.
Ellie