The Government's Overseas Aid Committee has pledged financial assistance to southern Bangladesh after it was devastated by a cyclone ten days ago.

Chairman of the OAC George Waft MLC says they have almost ?100,000 at their disposal and have been receiving requests from international organisations such as Oxfam, Christian Aid and Save the Children.

Around 3400 people have been confirmed dead and as many 360,000 left homeless by Cyclone Sidr, which smashed into the country's southern coast on November the 15th.

Aid operations are now gathering pace and Mr Waft says it's a case of waiting to see where the Committee's money is most needed:


(Picture: The destroyed ferry port in the southern Bangladeshi village of Chalabangha, courtesy of bbc.co.uk)