Cyclone Sidr Update

November 21, 2007

 

 

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

 

Current Status

 

The Government of Bangladesh’s (GoB) official death toll rose as high as 3,447 on Wednesday (November 21), as the World Bank said it would donate up to US$250 million in aid, more than doubling international assistance to the victims of Tropical Cyclone Sidr, which struck coastal southwest Bangladesh as a category four (five is the highest) storm at 20:30 local time Thursday (November 15) and affected some 6.7 million people, displacing 4 million. On Wednesday, Bangladeshi military chief Gen. Moeen Ahmad estimated that the number of people killed would total around 5,000, while the Bangladeshi Red Crescent Society has said it could go as high as 10,000. Around 2,000 people, many of them fishermen who had been on boats in the Bay of Bengal, are still missing and government agency estimates of injured persons range from 6,600 to 28,000. Originating in the Bay of Bengal, Sidr struck the southwestern coast of Bangladesh Thursday, 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, which 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, which sustained storm surges measuring 15 feet (six meters) in height. Barguna, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi and Bagerhat districts were hit the hardest, with 1,056 people reported dead in Barguna alone. Sidr had dissipated by late Friday (November 16), although heavy rains continued across Bangladesh and northeastern India for several days. Sidr was the strongest cyclone to hit Bangladesh since a 1991 storm killed some 143,000 people in the country.

 

The GoB officially requested international aid on Tuesday (November 20), saying that the Bangladeshi Armed Forces Division (AFD), which is coordinating the relief effort, had not yet been able to distribute aid to about 30 percent of hard-hit coastal areas. According to OCHA, a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team remains stood down. The GoB reported Wednesday that it had so far received offers of US$390 million worth of international emergency aid, bolstered by the World Bank’s Wednesday pledge of up to US$250 million relief package, consisting of a low-interest loan and a grant. Among the foreign governments offering the largest donations so far are Saudi Arabia (US$100 million), Great Britain (US$15 million), Japan (US$14 million) the European Commission (US$9.5 million), Canada (US$3 million), Australia (US$2.7 million) and Kuwait (US$2.3 million).

 

On Tuesday the US assured long-term assistance to Bangladesh, in addition to its earlier contribution of US$2.3 million. US Agency for International Development (USAID) Director Henrietta H. Fore said both civilian and military assistance would be coming in the next few days, with two US Naval ships expected to arrive on Friday (November 23) and Tuesday (November 27) with more than 30 helicopters, aid supplies and the capacity to help evacuations. A US C-130 cargo plane landed in Bangladesh Tuesday carrying relief goods, including 5,000 blankets, 2,520 hygiene kits, 300 plastic sheets and energy biscuits. (The New Nation, Nov. 21) A US military medical team has been distributing pharmaceuticals, as well. USAID is setting up water purification plants in the region to try to prevent an outbreak of cholera. (CNN, Nov. 21) According to Fore, more than 4 million people have been displaced by the storm.

 

Relief operations coordinated between the GoB, UN agencies and NGOs continued Wednesday, with the primary concern being the lack of accessibility to the remote areas of the countries. Local officials have expressed frustrations in many areas with having sufficient relief supplies but no way to get them to those in need.

 

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. On Thursday, local health officials and NGOs reported the first two deaths from diarrheal illness, which is common following floods and typhoons and is a primary concern for the Bangladesh Health Ministry.

 

The DER plans to hold a disaster assessment meeting tomorrow (Thursday, November 22). A United Nations mission team, which included UN Resident Coordinator Renata Lok Dessallien, UNICEF representative Louis-Georges Arsenault, the WFP’s Douglas Broderick and the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Dr. Marc Bellermans, visited the three most-affected districts Tuesday – Patuakhali, Barguna and Bagerhat. (The New Nation, Nov. 21)

 

Many news sources have reported that villagers in the most remote, impoverished areas have been complaining about a lack of government help and have said they believe the death toll is far higher than reported. Fighting broke out Wednesday in at least two overcrowded government-run relief camps in Purba Saralia and Basal Bar villages, where there was reportedly not enough food for all of the displaced. “The problem is that aid workers need hours to reach these remote areas. Poor communications are also hampering our work,” AP quoted Anwarul Huq, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, the country’s largest nonprofit development organization, as saying Wednesday. (AP, Nov. 21) Cleaning up debris and fallen trees could take weeks in remote areas because locals do not have chainsaws and modern machinery, so the process must be done by hand. (CNN, Nov. 21)

 

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.

 

Impact

 

GoB official death toll numbers Wednesday ranged from 3,167, as reported by Bangladeshi Army spokesman Lt. Col. Main Ullah Chowdhury, to 3,447, as reported to media by the Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC). The death toll is expected to rise and on Wednesday Bangladeshi military chief Gen. Moeen Ahmad estimated that the number of people killed would total around 5,000. Bangladeshi Red Crescent Society officials have said the death toll could reach 10,000. (CNN, Nov. 21) GoB estimates of the number of injured also varied – while OCHA reported 6,611 injured, media sources attributed the DMIC as saying more than 28,000 were injured. The Army’s Chowdhury said Wednesday that 1,724 people were missing, while OCHA reported 2,062 missing. DMIC data comes from reports from 30 districts. Most deaths and damages have been attributed to the storm surge.

 

The worst-hit districts included Barguna, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi and Bagerhat, where 60 to 70 percent of homes were destroyed. According to the DMIC, at least 1,056 people were killed in Barguna district and at least 736 died in Bagerhat. Other hardest affected districts were Pirojpur, Barisal, Bhola, Madaripur, Sariatpur, Gopalganj, Khulna and Satkhira (The New Nation, Nov. 18)

 

DMIC says the storm affected a total of 6,737,815 people, including 1,572,283 families, and told media sources Wednesday that 458,804 houses were destroyed and another 665,529 were damaged. About 1.5 million coastal villagers who had not evacuated coastal areas before Thursday have now fled to shelters where they can receive emergency rations. (DMIC, Nov. 20). The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Wednesday that nearly half of those affected by the disaster were children and about 400,000 of them were under the age of five. (The New Nation, Nov. 21)

 

Two deaths from severe diarrhea were reported in worst-hit Patuakhali district on Tuesday, raising fears of an outbreak. The two victims were children. The Bangladeshi Health Ministry has opened a special desk to monitor storm-caused diarrhea outbreaks, but could not immediately confirm the two deaths. The Ministry has a stock of medicines for diarrhea, but is having trouble distributing them because of the difficulty accessing remote areas. (AP, Nov. 21) NGO works in many worst-hit areas have reported that hundreds of people have been affected by the disease so far, which commonly occurs when water is contaminated with diarrhea-causing bacteria following floods and cyclones. Barisal Divisional Health Director Mohammad Abdul Baset was quoted by the local Daily Star newspaper as saying Tuesday that “Diarrhea outbreak could become acute in two to four days. We assumed it inevitable after such a big disaster that destroyed so many homes and so much of the infrastructure.” (The Daily Star, Nov. 21)

 

Reuters reports 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. A Bangladeshi Agriculture Ministry assessment says that 1 million tons of Amon rice production may have been lost, as well as standing crops in an area of 2 million acres (800,000 hectares). About 334 miles (538 km) of road have been heavily damaged and 54,648 miles (87,948 km) partly damaged. Around 1,654 bridges and culverts were damaged. (Daily Star, Nov. 21) The extensive damage to infrastructure and crops will cause widespread problems in the future as it has wiped out the source of so many people’s livelihoods. (The New Nation, Nov. 21)

 

The storm took out the National Power Grid for several days and electricity was lost all over the country, including in Dhaka. By Tuesday, the Bangladeshi Armed Forces Division (AFD) was reporting that power had been restored in many places and only 25 to 30 percent of areas in the 11 worst affected districts were still without power. (OCHA, Nov. 20)

 

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. The most deadly recent storm to hit Bangladesh was a tornado that leveled 80 villages and killed 621 people in the country’s north in 1996.

 

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. Divided into three zones of hills, terraces and a large flood plain, Bangladesh’s geography is uniquely low-lying because its coastal line forms part of the basins of three major rivers, the Padma (Ganges), Brahmaputra and Meghna.

 

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 GoB’s Ministry of Food and Disaster Management has allocated US$2.4 million for immediate relief as of Tuesday, including 7,070 metric tons of rice, 27,000 food bags, 18,000 blankets and 7,500 tents. (DMIC, Nov. 21) The GoB has also allocated US a special fund of US$5.2 million (350 million BDT) for long-term housing construction. Tuesday, the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) conducted 18 missions, carrying 51 metric tons of relief items, mostly food. Fourteen helicopter missions carried 31 metric tons, two AC-130s carried 10 metric tons and two N-32 aircraft carried 10 metric tons. As of Monday, BAF had delivered 5 metric tons of UNWFP protein biscuits. Six GoB Navy ships continue to conduct rescue, evacuation, relief and reconnaissance operations. (USAID, Nov. 19) GoB said Tuesday that relief supplies for distribution would increase in the coming weeks as the more than US$142 million that has been promised from international donors starts to roll in.

 

The Armed Forces Division has made available 12 sea-going ships, 12 helicopters and two aircrafts for rescue missions and relief operations by about 3,000 military personnel. (The New Nation, Nov. 21)

 

The Government of Bangladesh (GoB ) on Tuesday officially called for international aid, saying its army had yet to deliver aid to about 30 percent of coastal villages that were devastated by Sidr. (BBC, Nov. 20) A statement released by the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry said, “At this time we will welcome support from the international community. We are doing as best as we can do ourselves.” The GoB had said since Thursday that it did not require international aid because it believed it had the internal capacity to deal with the disaster itself. Before Tuesday’s announcement, it had already received some US$142 million in aid from foreign governments, UN agencies and NGOs. (AP, Nov. 20)

 

As workers clear roads of thousands of fallen trees, aid convoys are finally able to get through to some of the most inaccessible areas. (AFP, Nov. 20) Helicopters, planes, boats and thousands of ground troops and aid workers have been involved in the struggle to access these areas, some of which are only accessible by boat because coastal Bangladesh is a maze of waterways, creeks, islands and sandbanks. Vital relief items including tents, rice and water have been slow to reach people in those areas.

 

Many news sources have reported that villagers in the most remote, impoverished areas have been complaining about a lack of government help and have said they believe the death toll is far higher than reported. Fighting broke out Wednesday in at least two overcrowded government-run relief camps in Purba Saralia and Basal Bar villages, where there was reportedly not enough food for all of the displaced. (AP, Nov. 21) Cleaning up debris and fallen trees could take weeks in remote areas because locals do not have chainsaws and modern machinery, so the process must be done by hand. (CNN, Nov. 21)

 

Bangladesh’s Army Chief, Gen. Moeen U Ahmed, visited Sharankhola, has assured all possible help from the GoB and announced Tuesday that a floating medical hospital would be set up off the coast and each family of those killed in the cyclone would receive about US$143 (10,000 taka) and funeral assistance from the government. (Xinhua, Nov. 20)

 

The Bangladeshi armed forces continue to coordinate the overall relief operation, having deployed helicopters, ships, medical teams and thousands of soldiers in coastal areas. The Bangladeshi Navy and Coast Guard have begun work on rebuilding homes as they continue to help civil officials remove trees from blocked roads. (Reuters, Nov. 20)

 

On Saturday, the GoB formed a three-member committee comprising of the Joint Secretary (Food), MoFDM; Director General of the Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) and a National Programme Management expert of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) to coordinate government and NGO efforts. (DMIC, Nov-18) Subdivision administrations are working to assess the total damage and loss due to Sidr as many acres of crops especially, Aman Rice and winter crops, are damaged. (DMIC, Nov-18)

 

The divisional commissioners of Barisal and Khulna have suggested some subdivisions of the worst-affected districts of Patuakhali, Borguna, Bagerhat, Jhalokati, Khulna and Pirojpur should get relief priority. (DMIC, Nov-18) GoB has started its vulnerable group feeding program in the southern districts and is considering raising its original allocation of 10kg of rice per person to 20 kg of rice per person. (The Daily Star, Nov. 19)

 

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)

 

National Response

 

A spokesman for the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), the country’s largest nonprofit development organization, said Wednesday that aid workers were facing a shortage of boats. The AP quoted spokesman Anwarul Huq as saying, “The problem is that aid workers need hours to reach these remote areas. Poor communications are also hampering our work.” (AP, Nov. 21) BRAC is carrying out extensive relief operations in 2,537 villages in 60 worst affected sub districts across 11 districts of Bangladesh. More than 2,500 BRAC staff and 13 medical teams are engaged in providing round-the-clock relief and medical care to the victims. Immediately following the cyclone, BRAC launched its emergency relief program, initially allocating US$1 million. Two senior BRAC Directors are supervising relief operations on location. (BRAC, Nov. 21)

 

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, with assistance from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has deployed 4 assessment teams and 12 mobile health teams. At least 42,000 Red Crescent Society volunteers were said to be working in coastal areas as of Sunday. (Xinhua, Nov. 18) According to DMIC, the Bangladeshi Red Crescent Society has so far distributed US$840,000 worth of relief goods, including 10,200 blankets. It has also disturbed at least US$95,587 (6.4 million Bangladesh taka) to the 18 most affected districts. IFRC allocated CHF 250,000 (US$223,000) from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). (OCHA, Nov. 16) On Saturday, Red Crescent spokeswoman Nabiha Chowdhury said that water purification had become a top priority and that Red Crescent teams were equipped with resources to help people purify their water. (CNN Nov. 18)

 

Early warning and preparedness systems were in place based on the initial tracking of the storm over the Bay of Bengal for seven days prior to the impact and are being credited with saving many lives.

 

 

International Response

 

The GoB has reportedly so far received offers of about US$390 million worth of international emergency aid. (OCHA, Nov. 21)

 

United Nations

 

Reports from the UN needs assessments of the storm-affected area are expected on November 21. On November 19, UN heads of agencies visited the worst affected districts to assess the situation. They met assessment and relief teams and confirmed that relief is reaching the farthest corners of the affected area. They also noted that material damage was severe and varied between regions, nevertheless there were indications of small-scale economic recovery. (OCHA, Nov. 20)

 

A high-level joint UN Mission yesterday visited Patuakhali, Barguna and Bagerhat - three worst cyclone-affected districts. The members of the mission were Renata Lok Dessallien, UN resident coordinator, Louis-Georges Arsenault, UNICEF representative, Douglas Broderick, WFP representative, and Dr Marc Bellemans, FAO. (New Nation, Nov. 21)

 

Medical officers have been made available to assist government response, including four for coordinating central response. US$50,000 was made available for water and supplies and transportation. More relief will be made available following initial determination of needs. (OCHA, Nov. 20)

 

The UN is distributing 208 tons of high-energy biscuits to assist an estimated 850,000 cyclone affected people. 240,000 packets of water purifying powder are reaching 48,000 families. Shelter materials (thick polyesters) will also be distributed to 18,000 households whose houses were destroyed by the storms. Partners are currently distributing dry food (flattened rice and molasses) to 70,000 affected families. (OCHA, Nov. 20)

 

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator released an initial allocation of US$8.75 million from the Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) for projects in the following clusters: Agriculture, Child Protection, Food, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Shelter and Non-Food Items. A second round of allocations is subject to completed needs assessments in the coming days. (OCHA, Nov. 20)

 

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. (OCHA, Nov. 16)

 

Coordinated by the Disaster and Emergency Response (DER) group, a Joint UN Rapid Assessment Team comprised of 12 experts left Dhaka Saturday to assess affected areas that had not yet been covered. The team was made up of WHO, WFP, UNICEF and UNDP. (UNOCHA, Nov. 17) The DER, comprised of UN, GoB, and NGOs, has determined that dry food, water purification tablets and medicines have been identified as the most urgent needs. (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 UN Development Program (UNDP) has pledged US$7 million in relief grants to Bangladesh. (The Daily Star, Nov. 19) UNDP plans to provide 5 kilograms of flattened rice and 1 kilogram of molasses per family for some 70,000 families in the districts of Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Borguna, Perojpur, Barisal, Jhalokathi, Satkhira, Khulna, Bhola, Noakhali, Chandpu and Madaripur through its partner organizations that include South Asian Partnership, Sushilan, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Resource Integration Center, Prodipan, Bangladesh National Scouts, Rural Reconstruction Foundation, Village Education and Resource Center, Dip Unnayan Shanstha, Islamic relief and Shariatpur Development Society. UNDP also plans to provide 240,000 packets of water purification powder or one week supply for each family through Bangladesh National Scouts (BNS) in affected areas. About 18,000 sheets of tripol will also be distributed through BNS of which some 4,000 sheets will be ready for distribution in 48-72 hours. (DMIC, Nov-18)

 

UNICEF has pledged US$6.8 million in relief funds and plans to supply safe water, medicine, and food to the millions affected by Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh. UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (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. (The Daily Star, Nov. 19) 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) and the Bangladesh Air Force on Monday started using helicopters to air-drop WFP high-energy biscuits to people in inaccessible areas. WFP says that so far it has delivered biscuits to more than 650,000 people. WFP will also distribute more than 2,000 MT of high energy biscuits over the next few days to provide for some 15 days of food. Plans are also being finalized to start distributing rice as people start returning to their villages. WFP is coordinating the cyclone rehabilitation program on behalf of international agencies in Bangladesh. WFP representatives met Sunday with the Bangladeshi Food and Disaster Management Ministry and were awaiting an assessment report from their 12-member team that is visiting remote areas before sketching out further short- and long-term assistance plans. Food management, medical support and temporary shelter will be given top priority. (The Daily Star, Nov. 19)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:

 

ActionAid is launching a €1M (US$1.5 million) appeal. ActionAid has started an immediate relief operation working with local organizations to distribute dry food, clothes and water purifying tablets to those most in need as well as setting up kitchens delivering hot cooked food.

The charity will also be working towards longer term rehabilitation, helping communities to rebuild and restock. (AA, Nov. 20)

 

Action Against Hunger – USA Action Against Hunger has dispatched emergency crews and life-saving materials to the region to supplement teams already on the ground at the time of the disaster. Following a rapid on-the-ground needs assessment, Action Against Hunger’s emergency team was flown in to reinforce teams on the ground with expertise in water and sanitation, food security and logistics, and ensure a comprehensive evaluation. (AAH, Nov. 20)

 

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)

 

American Red Cross says it will provide US$1.2 million to help get clean water to survivors and build emergency shelters. (ARC, Nov. 20)

 

Americares Foundation is sending emergency shipments of critical medicines. The AmeriCares emergency response manager, Jonathan Hodgdon, arrived safely in Dhaka on Monday and is meeting with partners on the ground to assess the needs and determine any further assistance AmeriCares can provide. Two emergency shipments, which include medicines and other relief supplies essential to treating health conditions during and after a disaster, are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka. Combined, the two shipments include over 40,000 pounds of essential medicines and emergency supplies including, antibiotics, analgesics, topical creams and IV solutions. (Americares, Nov. 21)

 

Austcare, in partnership with ActionAid, is supporting organizations on the ground in Bangladesh, assisting in the rescue effort and providing food, cooking materials, water, clothing and medicine. Using funds raised, Austcare intends to provide assistance to 15,000 disaster survivors (3,000 families) in two of the worst affected districts, Khulna and Bagerhat. (Austcare, Nov. 21)

 

The British Red Cross has set up a Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal to raise money for those affected to provide relief including food, blankets, medical supplies and emergency shelter items. (BRC, Nov. 19)

 

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 impassable 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) Caritas Spain contributed US$288,184 for emergency aid. (OCHA, Nov. 20)

 

CARE Canada is starting the distribution of emergency food rations and supplies to 5,000 families to help them survive the vital days following the damage of the cyclone. CARE is also helping produce 10,000 litres of safe drinking water per day to the affected area to help prevent disease outbreaks and dysentery. (CARE, Nov. 19)

 

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and its partner Caritas Bangladesh anticipate reaching 57,700 people (12,500 families) this week with emergency food distributions and relief supplies as the first stage of a long-term recovery effort. CRS has committed US$500,000 to the relief effort thus far. (CRS, Nov. 20)

 

Concern, an Irish organization, has been working with the European Commission to propose a plan to assist 26,000 poor families in hard-hit Patuakhali and Barguna districts. The agency is receiving funds of US$850,269 (580,000 Euros) from the European Commission and US$146,603 (100,000 Euros) from Concern General Donations to conduct the operations. (German Agro Action, Nov. 19)

 

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) In partnership with ACT International, ERD will be supporting the relief efforts of the Church of Bangladesh. The Church of Bangladesh and local ecumenical partners are currently assessing local needs after this disaster. Episcopal Relief and Development is ready to respond to the needs identified by this team. (ERD, Nov. 19)

 

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)

 

Handicap International (HI), present on the ground in Bangladesh for 10 years, immediately sent an assessment team to the area. HI is currently assessing the damage on the ground and preparing to intervene in the following areas: treating the injured and disabled; raising the awareness of emergency stakeholders to the specific needs of people with disabilities; distributing basic necessities and providing temporary shelter. The association will also work with other organizations in Bangladesh to ensure that they take into account the specific needs of people with disabilities, who must be given equal access to care. (HI, Nov. 21)

 

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) is working with the IFRC to carry out assessments in ten districts. The Federation also deployed a Field Assessment and Coordination (FACT) team on 19 November. (OCHA, Nov. 20) 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 Development Bank approved US$200,000 to provide emergency assistance. A mission from the Bank is currently in Bangladesh to supervise the Bank's relief operation which involves distribution of food, shelter and medicine to the victims. A second mission from the Bank will be mounted to Bangladesh to assess the damage and consult with the government officials on the Bank's participation in the rehabilitation of public utilities, mitigation of the effects of the disaster, and expedition of the recovery process. (IDB, Nov. 19)

 

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)

 

Medical Teams International is sending critically needed medicines. Collaborating with local relief agencies in Dhaka, it is talking with partners in the area to determine the need for medical volunteers in the next 10 days. (MTI, Nov. 19)

 

Mercy Corps is helping colleague organizations on the ground in Bangladesh deliver much-needed assistance to what the government says are three million cyclone-affected survivors. (MC, Nov. 19)

 

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is assessing humanitarian needs in southern Bangladesh. MCC is accepting financial contributions for its work in Bangladesh. MCC has worked in Bangladesh since the early 1970s, when MCC helped provide relief following a cyclone. In addition to providing disaster relief, MCC supports agricultural development, job creation, peace-building, education and improving water sources in Bangladesh. (MCC, Nov. 20)

 

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) Muslim Aid has allocated £250,000 (US$516,000) and pledged to raise a total of £3 million (US$6.2 million) for emergency relief. Together with partner organizations in the country, Muslim Aid is actively delivering water, food and medicines to the worst-affected areas. Three Muslim Aid teams are working in Bagerhat, Patuakhali and Pirajpur, and within this, the six administrative areas of Morelgonj, Bagerhat Sadr, Mirzagong, Kalapara, Motbaria and Bhandaria. The group working in collaboration with partner organizations and have engaged 150 staff and over 700 volunteers. Muslim Aid are undertaking surveys, assessing water and sanitation and shelter needs, installing tube wells and sanitary latrines, as well as distributing food packs and medicines. Food packs consisting of rice, lentils, salt and potatoes have been distributed to 5,000 families, with 4,000 items of clothing set to be distributed in the next few days along with 6,000 blankets. An inflatable hospital has also been set up in the village of Saudkhali and has started providing emergency medical services. The hospital has a capacity to treat over 1,000 patients and has two doctors, 2 nurses and 2 paramedics. Another inflatable hospital will be set-up in the coming week, and the Muslim Aid staff plan to keep them running for at least a month depending on villagers' needs. (Muslim Aid, Nov. 21)

 

Oxfam In advance of the cyclone, around 1,000 volunteers from Oxfam’s partner organizations in Bangladesh helped evacuate villagers whose homes were in the path of the storm. We now have teams on the ground and are coordinating closely with our partner organizations and the government of Bangladesh to ensure that Oxfam resources are directed to where they are most needed. Our immediate focus will be helping more than 80,000 people in the hard-hit districts of Daerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna and Patuakhali meet their basic needs for food, water, shelter, and sanitation. (Oxfam, Nov. 19)

 

Oxfam Australia has contributed AUD$100,000 to the relief effort. Oxfam assessment teams say immediate needs include food, shelter, clothes and water and sanitation facilities. (Oxfam, Nov. 20)

 

Plan Bangladesh and one of its partners 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 launched an appeal Monday for funds to aid children and families affected by the storm. (Save the Children, Nov. 19) 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) On Saturday, Save the Children appealed to the US public to support its efforts to assist affected children and families and expressed concern about lack of access to clean water possibly causing outbreaks of cholera and severe diarrhea. (CNN Nov. 18)

 

SOS-Kinderdorf Internationa:l SOS Children's Villages will provide building materials for families who have lost their homes. SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh will provide building materials for 650 families in Southkhali in co-ordination with the district authorities of Bagerhat and the national government, so that the people will be able to repair their roofs. SOS Children's Village Khulna and SOS Vocational Training Centre Bagerhat are situated in the disaster area. (SOS, Nov. 21)

 

Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) is in Dhaka in order to organize team deployments in the cyclone affected areas. In the coming hours TSF might call for reinforcements from its Bangkok regional base. This mission is carried out in partnership with OCHA and is supported by the Vodafone Group Foundation, the United Nations Foundation, Inmarsat, Eutelsat, AT&T, Vizada, Cable & Wireless, France Telecom and the Region of Aquitaine. (TSF, Nov. 20)

 

Trocaire on Monday pledged US$146,590 (100,000 Euros) in relief aid to victims of the storm. (Trocaire, Nov. 19)

 

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) anticipates its response to be through partner agencies in Action by Churches Together and Muslim Aid. Both organizations are assessing the situation and UMCOR is ready to support them in their recovery efforts. ACT is initiating an emergency response to assist over 7,000 families with food, blankets and other needed items. Anticipated responses by both organizations include assisting displaced families in South Bangladesh with their basic needs. UMCOR worked with ACT partners and Muslim Aid in Bangladesh late this past summer when the nation suffered severe flooding that displaced 400,000 people. (UMCOR, Nov. 19)

 

Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) will provide 50,000 euros (US$74,247). In Barguna and Patuakhali, 26,000 families will receive food, blankets, mosquito nets and soap. Medicine to prevent dysentery will be provided to aid some 130,000 children. Welthungerhilfe is providing relief in collaboration with Concern Worldwide. (Welthungerhilfe, Nov. 20)

 

World Bank said it would provide up to US$250 million to Bangladesh. The bank had provided US$75 million in response to floods in August. (The News, Nov. 21)

 

World Concern is providing food, water, medicine and shelter to impoverished families in crisis in the wake of Thursday’s killer cyclone. World Concern’s staff in Bangladesh, where it provides programs to more than 270,000 people, is working to assess the disaster and provide aid. (WC, Nov. 19)

 

World Vision (WV) had deployed 135 staff members and 7,000 volunteers to provide food, shelter and other relief to an initial 100,000, as of Sunday. WV is appealing for $1.5 million in further funds to assist about 9,300 families in rebuilding their homes. (CNN, Nov. 18) 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:

 

Australia has pledged US$2.7 million. (OCHA, Nov. 20)

 

Belgium will give food aid totaling 2 million USD (roughly 1.4 million EUR) to Bangladesh to assist 200,000 people, mainly small farmers. (GoB, Nov. 20)

 

Canada is providing up to US$ 3 million. US$250,000 has already been contributed to the IFRC. (Canada, Nov. 19)

 

China: Donating US$1 million. US$50,000 given on behalf of Chinese Red Cross to Bangladeshi Red Cross. (RCSC, Nov. 20)

 

Czech Republic is allocating 1.5 million CZK (US$82,000). (Czech Government, Nov. 19)

 

European Commission Monday announced its second commitment of aid, in the amount of US$7.3 million (5 million Euros) for the storm’s victims. (European Commission, Nov. 19) Monday’s commitment came in addition to the US$ 2.2 million (1.5 million pounds) it released 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)

 

France has pledged about US$730,000 and is also mobilizing an assessment team due to arrive in Bangladesh on Wednesday (November 21). (UNOCHA, Nov. 19)

 

Germany has increased its aid to US$1.46 million which will be channeled to German aid agencies who will work with local partners. (Government of Germany, Nov. 19)

 

India will provide a relief package worth some US$1 million which includes medicine, food items, milk powder, tents, blankets and other relief items. (Government of India, Nov. 19)

 

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

 

Italy is sending a special flight carrying blankets, tents, health supplies, medicines, and drinking water. The flight will also carry experts from the Italian Cooperation who will help handle the distribution of aid. (Government of Italy, Nov. 19)

 

Japan will provide relief grants worth US$14 million. (OCHA, Nov. 21) Japan will also provide emergency supplies worth 35 million yen (US$319,000) in response to a request from the Bangladeshi government. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is shipping tents, blankets, sleeping mats, plastic sheeting, portable reservoirs, water purifying equipment, plastic water containers, and electric power generators from its warehouse in Singapore to Dhaka. (JICA, Nov. 20) Japan will also provide food assistance and will work with the WFP-led cyclone rehabilitation program. (The Daily Star, Nov. 19)

 

Kuwait: is donating US$10 million to Bangladesh. (KNA, Nov. 20)

 

Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is appealing to its member states to provide Bangladesh with assistance. (OIC, Nov. 18)

 

Pakistan will send relief goods. Pakistan is immediately sending two C-130 plane loads of relief goods. Two more C-130s, carrying a 30 bed field hospital, will leave for Dhaka on November 23, while a ship carrying relief items will also sail shortly. Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lt. Gen (Retd) Farooq Ahmed Khan is in contact with the concerned authorities in Bangladesh to make arrangements for the relief goods. (Xinhua, Nov. 21)

 

The Philippines has said it will dispatch a medical team to Bangladesh. (AP, Nov. 19)

 

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced that it was contributing an additional US$100 million in aid for cyclone victims and would airlift 300 tons of food and relief materials in the coming days. (Reuters, Nov. 19) Monday’s commitment was in addition to the funds provided Thursday for the Bangladeshi Disaster Management Information Center to purchase and distribute 7,060 tents and 3,000 bags of food.

 

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)

 

Sweden: the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, has decided to give SEK5 million (US$800,000) to Save the Children and SEK2 million (US$319,000) to UNICEF. SEK10 million (US$1,594,000) to the Swedish Red Cross has been reserved to support humanitarian relief efforts. (SIDA, Nov. 20)

 

Switzerland: The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has released CHF 200,000 (US$179,000) in emergency relief funds. (SDC, Nov. 19)

 

United Kingdom: Britain has offered US$15 million. (CNN, Nov. 21) The Department for International Development (DFID) has announced a contribution of £2.5 million (US$5,169,000) for immediate cyclone relief efforts. The money is being channeled through the UN, and will help provide food, water, medical treatment, and housing repairs.

 

United States (US) According to OFDA, Bangladeshi Chief of Army Staff Gen. Moeen Uddin Ahmed identified three initial priorities: 1) logistics and cargo lift ability, 2) freshwater production, containerization and distribution, and 3) deploying medical teams to affected areas. OFDA says these resources are available on USS Kearsage expected to arrive November 23. Moeen said that a forward operating base would be established and would have space for the US government with its own forward liaison element. (OFDA, Nov. 21). A C-130 cargo plane arrived at Zia International Airport with first shipment of US$161,000 in relief items. (CNN, Nov. 21) A five member USAID/OFDA assessment team arrived in Bangladesh. The team is working with USAID/ Bangladesh, US Embassy in Dhaka, US DOD, NGOs, and the GoB to assess extent of damage, and coordinate USG efforts. USAID is setting up mobile water purification plants in an effort to prevent an outbreak of cholera. (CNN, Nov. 21) USAID/OFDA is providing more than US$2.3 million. Total USAID assistance to Bangladesh in FY 2008: US$2,352,215. USAID/OFDA airlifting relief from Dubai. Emergency relief supplies expected to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday (Nov. 20) and will benefit 15,000 people. (USAID, Nov. 20) Two Naval amphibious assault ships, the USS Essex and USS Kearsarge, were en route to Bangladesh to assist in relief operations if requested. Military officials said Wednesday (November 21) that the ships are expected to reach the country at the weekend or early next week. (CNN, Nov. 21) The ships are hospital-equipped and each contains at least 20 helicopters and tons of supplies. (AP, Nov. 19) President Bush said that USAID will airlift 35 tons of plastic sheeting, jerry cans, hygiene kits and other non-food supplies to the country. An 18-person medical team from the US Department of Defense is in Bangladesh and helping with local medical needs. (CNN Nov. 18) A US military team is in the country to distribute pharmaceuticals. (CNN, Nov. 21) The 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) Two US Marine Corps C-130 aircraft arrived in Dhaka Sunday night with medical supplies. (Reuters, Nov. 19) 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 Wasp is 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)