The death toll from tropical cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh rose to more than 2,000, with more than 1.5 million people living in temporary shelters after homes were flattened and low-lying areas flooded.

Emergency preparations in advance of the cyclone saved tens of thousands of lives, but the storm left a million people without power and has created serious health problems for survivors.

Relief supplies and a medical team are being sent to Bangladesh by the U.S. Agency for International Development, while the U.S. government pledged more than $2 million in initial emergency relief.