WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush on Tuesday appointed one of his political donators to oversee the recovery efforts in southern states ravaged by two strong hurricanes this summer.

    The appointee, Donald Powell, is the chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and a major contributor to Bush's political campaign.

    He will supervise the long-term plans to rebuild the states hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the late summer and coordinate recovery efforts with the US Congress, state and local governments, and private businesses.

    The top official who currently oversees day-to-day recovery efforts is US Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen, and he is expected to leave that post by the end of the year.

    Powell was appointed as FDIC chairman in August 2001 and is described as having more than 30 years experience in the financial service industry.

    The US Congress has so far provided 62 billion US dollars for recovery efforts in Gulf Coast, with 40 billion dollars still in the coffer.

    Katrina, which hit Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, is the worst natural disaster the country ever had.

    It flooded New Orleans and devastated other parts of Louisiana, as well as the states of Mississippi and Alabama.

    Hurricane Rita arrived two weeks later, damaging parts of coastal Texas and Louisiana. Enditem