US sends help to Bangladesh

The White House offered condolences Saturday evening to victims of a deadly cyclone in Bangladesh and said the U.S. government has provided an initial $2.1 million in emergency relief aide.

A statement from press secretary Dana Perino said the USS Essex and the USS Kearsage are en route to Bangladesh to help and that the U.S. will airlift 35 tons of non-food items such as plastic sheeting, jerricans, hygiene kits and other supplies.

She said an 18-person Defense Department medical team that was in the country prior to the storm will help with current medical needs.

"President and Mrs. Bush offer condolences to the victims of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, especially those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in this tragedy," the statement said. "The United States is committed to helping the people of Bangladesh and their government as they face the many challenges of rebuilding and recovering.

Tropical Cyclone Sidr, the deadliest storm to hit the country in a decade, destroyed tens of thousands of homes in southwest Bangladesh on Thursday and killed at least 1,723 people. More than a million coastal villagers were forced to evacuate to government shelters.