The United States through its Agency for International Development, has made a massive effort to rush relief supplies to the devastated area of East Pakistan which was hit by the typhoon and tidal wave in mid-November. USAID, along with other U.S. voluntary agencies, donated food, clothing, medicine, blankets, water purification tablets and personal hygiene kits. Lt. Col. Clyde Bryan had a Pakistani sign painter apply the American flag to the noseplates of the U.S. helicopters so it would be possible for the Delta farmers to recognize the nationality of these "mercy aircraft."