Cafod has sent an immediate grant of £1,000 through
. Catholic Relief Services to aid victims of the flood disaster in Bangladesh.
A British aircraft carrying about 20 tons of anti-cholera vaccines and other medical supplies was sent to Dacca this week.
Mrs Judith Hart. Minister for Overseas Development. announced this after a meeting with the Ministry's new disaster unit.
This is the first big operation undertaken by the unit since it was set up less than two weeks ago. Mrs Hart said: "We've been able to make a much more rapid response than in any previous disaster situation."
The aircraft, paid for by the British Government. flew to Copenhagen to pick up 15 tons of anti-cholera vaccines and other drugs supplied by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) before flying on the Dacca.
The Disaster Emergency Committee. representing five relief organisations. including Cafod, met the disaster unit this week. Cafod — ps