Cyclone Sidr Update

November 17, 2007

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

Current Status

As of Saturday (November 17), Bangladeshi authorities, the United Nations and media sources were estimating that some 1,723 people had been killed by Tropical Cyclone Sidr, which struck the coast of southwest Bangladesh as a category four storm (five is the highest) at 20:30 local time Thursday (November 15). Other local media reports put the death toll as high as over 2,000. 464 deaths were reported from worst-hit Barguna district and 385 from neighboring Patuakhali. At least 1,000 people, most of them fishermen, were reported to be missing as well. Officials say they expect thousands more bodies to be found over the coming days as relief workers reach affected areas. Another some 15,000 people were also reported to have been injured. The UN reported Friday that Sidr struck the southwestern coast, packing winds between 87 and 103 mph (140 and 165 kph). The Bangladeshi Meteorological Department reported that Sidr had a radius of 311 miles (500 km) with the eye of the storm having winds between 137 and 150 mph (220 and 240 kph). Areas along the coast and small offshore islands received the brunt of the storm. The storm struck in 15 districts from Cox’s Bazar in the country’s extreme southeast to Satkira district on the western border with India. Worst hit were the first-hit areas of Khulna and Barisal Divisions and the largest storm surges, which measured 15 feet (six meters) in height, hit Barguna, Patuakhali and Jhalakathi districts in Barisal division. Sidr was the strongest cyclone to hit Bangladesh since a 1991 storm killed some 143,000 people in the country. Communication lines in many areas of the country, including the capital, Dhaka, a city of some 10 million people, were disrupted and most had not been restored as of Saturday, according to media reports and the IFRC, so assessments for many affected areas could not be made.

According to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been stood down as the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and UN Country teams and agencies are able to manage the disaster. The Bangladeshi government has not requested any international aid, saying it has the internal capacity and stockpiled supplies to handle the situation at present. UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes, said Saturday that damages to livelihood, housing and crops will be “extremely severe.”

On Saturday the Bangladeshi army deployed helicopters to remote areas to deliver relief supplies, while Navy ships delivered supplies and medical assistance to coastal communities, Bangladesh’s Inter Services Public Relations department said. At least 3,000 soldiers are involved in relief operations.

The Maui-based Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) reported on Thursday that the storm was expected to rapidly weaken as it moved inland in a north-northeast direction Friday, with winds dissipating to a mere 30 knots (35 mph or 55 kph) by late evening. Heavy rains were expected to continue across the country and parts of West Bengal state in neighboring India, which otherwise escaped damage from the storm, according to media reports. The Associated Press reported that by late Friday, operations at the country’s two primary sea ports – Chittagong and Mongla, had resumed.

Although an estimated 5 million people live in the most vulnerable areas of coastal Bangladesh, the government estimated that up to 3.2 million were evacuated before the storm, at least 620,000 to official cyclone shelters. More than 40,000 Bangladeshi policemen, soldiers, coastguards and health care workers were deployed along the coast Thursday, according to the BBC.

The Disaster and Emergency Response Group (DER) comprised of UN, GoB, and NGOs have determined that dry food, water purification tablets and medicines have been identified as the most urgent needs.

Impact

The latest figures for the death toll range from 1,700 to over 2,000. The GoB says that it expects the death toll to rise. At least 15,000 have been injured. In addition, at least 1,000 fishermen who had been on boats in the Bay of Bengal when the storm hit were missing as of late Friday, according to the UN and IFRC. At least 150 fishing boats are said to be missing. According to Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), in the capital, Dhaka, some 200 miles north of the worst-hit region, at least 11 people were killed and 500 injured. Many parts of Dhaka remained without power or water on Saturday.

The worst-hit districts included Barguna, Patuakhali, and Jhalakathi. According to CNN, local officials say that some 60-70 percent of homes in those areas were destroyed. The UN’s Holmes said that the UN believed more than 20,000 homes were damaged in the hardest-hit districts. According to Reuters, officials say that in many areas, 95 percent of rice crops were badly damaged. Rice crops are usually harvested in December. Hundreds of shrimp farms have also reportedly washed away. Many areas remain impassable and other affected areas are in remote regions, hindering initial damage assessments.

Background

Storms kill hundreds of people in coastal Bangladesh every year, but occasional severe cyclones kill hundreds of thousands. A cyclone and its subsequent tidal surge in 1991 killed nearly 140,000 and destroyed thousands of homes, and a 1970 storm killed about a half a million people.

International assistance was requested following tropical cyclone Marian (also unofficially known as Cyclone Gorky), which hit the Chittagong district of southeastern Bangladesh on April 29, 1991 with winds of 155 mph, killing more than 138,000 people. The storm caused an estimated $1.5 billion (1991 US dollars) in damage. Crops were destroyed and agricultural fields were flooded with ocean water, contaminating the soil and drinking water. In response, the United States military provided immediate practical assistance in emergency and short-term recovery operations by establishing a Contingency Joint Task Force and launching Operation Sea Angel. These efforts were credited with saving as many as 200,000 lives.

Country Profile

Bangladesh, with an estimated population of 140 million, is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world due to its geographical location. With its economy heavily dependent on agriculture, the frequency of natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and accompanying storm surges, river-bank erosion, and drought, has hindered economic growth and poverty alleviation, thereby exacerbating the population’s vulnerability to risk.

Due to the regularity of major floods and cyclones, which hit the country on an annual basis, Bangladesh has in place a well-established and organized national disaster response structure integrating international aid organizations and on occasion foreign militaries.

Bangladesh’s traditional disaster management model focusing on disaster relief and recovery has evolved into a more holistic approach embracing the processes of hazard identification and mitigation, community preparedness, and integrated response efforts. As such, the Ministry of Relief and Rehabilitation was renamed to the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM) in 2003.

The Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) was created in 1992 to serve as a technical arm to the MoFDM, overseeing and coordinating all disaster management activities from the national to the grassroots level and maintaining liaison with government agencies, donors, and NGOs to ensure cooperation and coordination.

Although Bangladesh continues to strengthen its own capacity to handle wide-scale natural disasters, there will likely be future disasters where international humanitarian assistance is again requested. In Bangladesh and elsewhere, US interests would be well-served by an effective response to disasters. US military expertise and resources could be utilized not only to save lives, but also to possible prevent destabilization. While there has been considerable debate regarding the appropriateness of expanding the role of the US military vis-à-vis non-combat operations, the US military has a long history of humanitarian response and offers considerable assets to the humanitarian community. Coordination, however, between the military and non-governmental humanitarian community continues to be an area where improvement is needed.

Government Response

The Government of Bangladesh (GoB ) has not officially asked for international assistance, saying that it believes it has the capacity to handle the disaster at the present time.

Bangladesh’s national disaster agency, the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM) has allocated 3,000 MT of rice to 14 affected districts. MoFDM says that some 732 medical teams have also been deployed. The GoB has allocated 95,000,000 Bangladeshi taka (US$1.4 million) from the Honorable Chief Advisor’s Relief and Welfare Fund has been allocated to 11 affected districts. The Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC) is the information hub of the MoFDM. (DMIC, Nov. 16)

The GoB opened at least 2,168 emergency shelters ahead of the storm, the DMIC reported. The shelters were holding 1.5 million people and are reportedly equipped with medical teams, medicines and dry foods. (DMIC Nov. 16)

The GoB set up control rooms and deployed medical teams ahead of the storm. GoB put some 42,000 government employees and volunteers in potentially affected areas on call. All government offices are being kept operational this weekend. (UNICEF, Nov. 16)

On Saturday the Bangladeshi army deployed helicopters to remote areas to deliver relief supplies, while at least five Navy ships delivered supplies and medical assistance to coastal communities. Ships are also helping to clear channels blocked with debris. At least 3,000 soldiers are involved in relief operations. (Reuters, Nov. 17)

An inter ministerial meeting held Thursday created a new high priority disaster management group with the Chief Adviser to the Caretaker Government at the head (UNICEF, Nov. 16).

The head of Bangladesh’s army-backed interim government, Fakhruddin Ahmed, asked officials Friday to “ensure bodies are buried quickly” to avoid the spread of disease. (UNICEF, Nov. 16)

National Response

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have deployed 4 assessment teams and 10 mobile health teams. IFRC allocated CHF 250,000 (US$223,000) from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). (OCHA, Nov. 16)

Early warning and preparedness systems were in place based on the initial tracking of the storm over the Bay of Bengal for 7 days prior to the impact. A total of 116 medical teams and hundreds of Red Crescent volunteers are working in response to the situation. (GoB) is allocating food and cash to areas of need. The first five GoB and UN joint assessment teams started work Friday. (OCHA, Nov. 16)

The GoB, in anticipation of expected significant damage, has held initial discussions with local donors, urging all for possible support. (OCHA, Nov. 16)

International Response

United Nations

Joint UN Rapid Assessment Team comprised of 12 staff is expected to visit worst-affected districts Saturday. Team made up of WHO, WFP, UNICEF and UNDP. (UNICEF, Nov. 16)

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and two rapid Disaster Response Advisers are being deployed to assist the UN Country Team (UNCT) on the ground. (OCHA, Nov. 16)

The Disaster and Emergency Response Group (DER) comprised of UN, GoB, and NGOs have determined that dry food, water purification tablets and medicines have been identified as the most urgent needs. (UNICEF, Nov. 16)

UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, announced that emergency funds will be made available through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

UNICEF plans to supply safe water, medicine, and food to the millions affected by Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh. UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygeine (WASH) counterpart Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) is planning to transport water to the affected districts by trucks through roads that may be open for use. Carrying water with jerry cans are also an option for which will provide support. UNICEF is going to provide cash assistance for buying jerry cans, transportation and other expenses involved in making safe water available to the affected population. A stock of 7.3 million WPT (Water Purification Tablets) provided by UNICEF during the recent floods are available for immediate distribution (2 million with DPHE and 5.3 million at the Central Medical Store Depot (CMSD) of the Ministry of Health). UNICEF ready to provide all assistance based on needs and as requested by the government. Essential medicines provide by UNICEF during and the after the floods to replenish stock are available in the system for channeling to the affected population and are considered adequate. UNICEF will work with WFP in distribution of dry food and BP5 biscuits, and with Save the Children USA on other aspects of relief and rehabilitation focusing on children. Some 1300 recreational kits for children pre-positioned during the floods are still available with 20 partners NGOs. UNICEF is also moving ahead with procurement of family kits, plastic sheets and more dry food as needed. The most commonly used dry foods are flattened rice, puffed rice and molasses. UNICEF is ready to provide cash assistance for procurement and distribution of dry food. (UNICEF, Nov. 17)

The UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) met Friday (November 16) to assess the situation and strategize a joint UN response. The meeting was chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator, and participated by all agencies including Representatives of UNICEF and WFP.

The UN Environment Program (UNEP) and OCHA have published a joint Environmental Risk Identification report for Bangladesh available on Relief Web. (www.reliefweb.int). (UNEP, Nov. 16)

The UN’s World Food Program (WFP): has deployed response teams to southwest Bangladesh to help manage its workers stationed there, who will distribute an estimated 98 tons of ready food from WFP’s emergency hub to feed an estimated 400,000 victims, Xinhua News Agency reported Friday. WFP sending high-energy biscuits which it says is enough to feed 400,000 people for three days. (BBC, Nov. 17)

The World Health Organization (WHO): “surge” team is on its way to the country. WHO also reported that it had local polio surveillance officials in Bangladesh who were ready to cooperate with local health authorities to help in any capacity. As of late Friday local time, a total of 116 medical teams and hundreds of Red Crescent volunteers were working in the affected areas, according to UN sources.

NGOs / IOs:

Action by Churches Together International (ACT), through its member Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), formed an Emergency Monitoring Team on Wednesday (November 14) to maintain contact with local offices. Other ACT members in Bangladesh are Christian Aid, Church of Bangladesh, KOINONIA and Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh. (ACT, Nov. 16)

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is on the ground, based out of Dhaka, and assessing the immediate needs of survivors. Once assessments are completed, ADRA will initiate emergency response, which is expected to include food, water, shelter, and clothing. (ADRA, Nov. 16)

CARE responded immediately after the cyclone struck by moving equipment into the area to provide safe drinking water, and emergency items ranging from plastic sheeting to candles, and emergency food rations for at least 5,000 families. (CARE, Nov. 16) CARE sent a relief team in a jeep on Saturday, but they had to return halfway as the roads and channels were unpassable due to fallen trees and mud. Small ferries were the only transport across river channels and had been damaged by the cyclone. CARE will attempt relief delivery again on Sunday on bicycles, and hire local country boats. (AP, Nov. 17)

Caritas is assessing damages, identifying needs to provide assistance, and sending additional staff to conduct a multi-sectoral needs assessment under the Barisaland Khulna Regional Offices. (Caritas, Nov. 16)

Global Medic is sending aid items, including medicines, water tablets and water purification equipment. They expect to deploy a water and medical team, pending confirmation from their country partner, Muslim Aid, on the ground. The team will likely deploy on Monday (November 19) for a 10-day operation. (David McAntony Gibson Foundation–Canada, Nov. 17)

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has released US$223,000 from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to support Bangladesh Red Crescent (BRC) relief operations and is appealing for US$3.6 million more to assist 235,000 affected people. Some 40,000 BRC volunteers have been mobilized since Wednesday to alert and evacuate people, and continue to help distribute relief items, provide first aid and assist with search and rescue. On Friday, seven teams of IFRC and BRC members were deployed for rapid assessments of damage, and rescue and medical mobile teams were on standby. (IFRC, Nov. 16)

Islamic Relief has allocated US$1million for emergency response and is set to distribute emergency shelter material and food and dispatch teams of doctors and health workers. (Islamic Relief, Nov. 16)

Medical Assistance Programs (MAP) has been in contact with relief workers on the ground to determine immediate needs. In addition to emergency relief, MAP is also assessing the long-term needs. (MAP, Nov. 16)

Muslim Aid sent out relief teams through its Bangladesh Field Office on Friday to Barisal, Patuakhali and Mongla with 500,000 Bangladeshi Taka (US$7,300) to purchase food and other necessities for distribution in cooperation with the government and their partner organization. (Muslim Aid, Nov. 16)

Plan Bangladesh and one of its partner NGO Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) left Dhaka Friday (November 16) to start immediate emergency relief operation. Dry food, medicines, drinking water, plastic sheets, and cooked food is provided for 1,000 households for the next three days and stand by medical team to provide health treatment in those areas. The areas are Patharghata, Amtali, Barguna, Galachipa and Kalapara of Patuakhali and Barguna districts. (Plan Bangladesh, Nov. 17)

Save the Children started distributing 10,000 emergency non-food items, such as plastic sheeting, water containers, rope, soap, etc., on Friday. Additionally, 1,500 blankets and 10,000 water tablets were dispatches to the affected area, and 19 teams were deployed to assess damage and needs. Save the Children has been working in Bangladesh since 1972, and assisted with relief and recovery efforts following the monsoon flooding in June and July. (Save the Children Alliance, Nov. 16)

World Vision (WV) has started emergency distribution, with an initial coverage of 100,000 people. (Reuters, Nov. 17) WV Bangladesh is planning to provide 20,000 families with 7-day item packs that include rice, sugar, salt, candles, blankets and mattresses valued at US$32 per family. (WV, Nov.16)

Foreign Governments

European Commission said it released about US$ 2.2 million (1.5 million pounds) in fast-track aid Friday for those affected by the storm.

European Union (EU) has given 1.5 million Euros (US$2.2 million) in aid. (Reuters, Nov. 17)

Germany has allocated US$293,000 for assistance. (Reuters, Nov. 17)

Ireland will make up to 500,000 Euros (US$732,000) in assistance available through Irish Aid. (Government of Ireland, Nov. 16)

Saudi Arabia provided funds for the Bangladeshi Disaster Management Information Center to purchase and distribute 7,060 tents and 3,000 bags of food on Thursday.

Spain was sending 750,000 Euros (US$1.1 million) in aid through the Spanish Foreign Ministry’s aid arm, AECI (Spanish Agency of International Cooperation). (Reuters, Nov. 17)

United States (US) Mission in Bangladesh pre-positioned required supplies and equipment. Sixteen zodiac boats were ready to use for emergency operations. Six water treatment systems were mobilized. Ten water ambulances were available. With partners CARE and Save the Children, 30,000 Emergency Survival Packages were pre-positioned in vulnerable areas before the cyclone hit. (US State Department, Nov. 16) The US Navy was reportedly ready to send two ships with helicopters to assist rescue effort if a formal offer was received. (Reuters, Nov. 17) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates was expected to approve plans to send up to three Marine Corps amphibious warships, with up to 3,500 Marines, to locations off the coast of Bangladesh to assist in relief efforts. The USS Kearsage and USS Wasp are expected to move from the Gulf of Oman. The USS Tarawa recently left Hawaii, and could possibly go to Bangladesh as well. (CNN, Nov. 17)