City pledges support for cyclone appeal

COUNCIL bosses have pledged their support to a campaign by Edinburgh's Bangladeshi community to help those left homeless by a cyclone which ripped through the south Asian country last year.

Cyclone Sidr, which hit Bangladesh in November, was the worst storm the country had suffered in 15 years and caused widespread devastation.

Now the city council is backing a campaign by Dr Wali Uddin, chair of the Council of Bangladeshis in Scotland and chief executive of Britannia Spice Restaurant, to get help to the victims of the disaster.

Lord Provost George Grubb said: "Since the cyclone, Edinburgh's Bangladeshi community have put a massive effort into raising funds for emergency response work in the country. Now the country must rebuild homes and the wider infrastructure – this is where Edinburgh can help.

"Edinburgh is a city with an international outlook and I think we can make a real difference. That's why I'm backing this campaign."

City school pupils will be among those taking part in the drive to raise £200,000 to build 200 new homes.