Cyclone Sidr Update

December 1, 2007

 

 

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

 

Current Status

 

The Government of Bangladesh’s (GoB’s) Ministry of Food and Disaster Management’s Information Center (DMIC) said Saturday (December 1) that at least 3,275 people have died as a result of Tropical Cyclone Sidr, which struck the southern coast of Bangladesh as a category four (five is the highest) storm at 20:30 local time on November 15 and affected some 8.5 million people (1.9 million families). According to DMIC, 39,773 people were injured and 871 people are still missing. Originating in the Bay of Bengal, Sidr struck the southwestern coast of Bangladesh on November 15 packing winds between 87 and 103 mph (140 and 165 kph). The storm had a radius of 311 miles (500 km) with winds in the eye up to 150 mph (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. Sidr had dissipated by late November 16. The Bangladeshi Armed Forces Division (AFD) has estimated that Cyclone Sidr cost US$2.31 billion in economic losses, including infrastructure, schools, crops and livestock. (Xinhua, Nov. 26) Sidr was the strongest cyclone to hit Bangladesh since a 1991 storm killed some 143,000 people in the country. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team remains stood down.

The GoB officially requested international aid on November 20 and so far has reportedly received pledges of more than US$500 million, including up to US$250 million from the World Bank. (AP, Nov. 26) In total, the UN has pledged some US$35 million, of which the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) has contributed about US$15 million. Among the foreign governments offering the largest donations are Saudi Arabia (US$100 million), India (US$25.3 million), the US (US$14.5 million), United Kingdom (US$14.4 million), Japan (US$14 million) and the European Commission (US$9.5 million). As of Saturday (December 1), OCHA’s Financial Tracking System has recorded received contributions and pledges in the amount of US$143,505,124. (OCHA, Dec. 1)

The US military continues to assist the AFD in distributing relief goods, including drinking water, to remote locations. The USS Kearsarge is anchored off of Chittagong port and additional US ships are expected in coming days.

 

The GoB has told donors that it needs at least 500,000 tons of food aid to make up for the food shortage caused by the cyclone and this year’s devastating monsoon flood season. (Reuters, Nov. 27) The shortage is expected to last through April 2008, but should improve in May, when the Boro rice harvest begins. Donors are asked to procure food donations from the international market in order to avert a further shortage in the domestic market. (The Daily Star, Nov. 28) Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited cyclone-hit areas of Bangladesh Saturday and announced that his country would waive a ban on rice exports, allowing Bangladesh to import up to 500,000 tons of rice from India. India banned rice exports two months ago to reduce soaring domestic prices. Mukherjee’s party also delivered relief items and announced that India would help rebuild 10 villages. (Economic Times, Dec. 1)

 

The Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) has provided 3.5 million water purification tables, enough to serve 125,000 people for two weeks. DPHE plans to distribute an additional 1.5 million tablets. Water treatment plants have been established by GoB, the US military, UN agencies and NGOs around the country, with the potential to provide safe water for up to 960,000 people so far. About 500,000 water containers have been promised, including 200,000 fro IFRC, which should allow officials to get clean water to 2.5 million families in need. (OCHA, Nov. 30)

 

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 300,000 children under the age of five are living in shelters and makeshift camps in the disaster zone. Louis-Georges Arsenault, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh, said Friday (November 30) that children under five are the population most affected by natural disasters and have special needs. “Food alone is not enough to alleviate the disease burden,” Arsenault said. “If they are not fed micronutrients quickly and are not protected by vitamins and iron, and if diarrheal diseases spread, they will die.” Local media have reported outbreaks of diarrhea, pneumonia, fever and typhoid, but health authorities say the current number of cases is manageable. Another concern UNICEF reported Friday was that children who have been separated from their families by the storm are especially vulnerable to being forced into human trafficking. (UNICEF, Nov. 30)

 

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury estimated Friday that it would take two to three months for life in southwest Bangladesh to return to normal. The UK donated another 45,000 liters of purified water to GoB Friday and Choudhury announced that the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) is chartering planes to ferry supplies to Bangladesh. (The New Nation, Dec. 1)

 

A small earthquake, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, jolted southeastern Bangladesh at about 01:20 local time Friday. There were no reports of casualties or damages, but the tremor caused many in the Chittagong and Sylhet areas to panic and flee their homes. (The New Nation, Dec. 1)

 

 

Impact

 

According to DMIC, the death toll as of Saturday was 3,275. Bangladeshi army chief Gen. Moeen U Ahmed has said the toll could end up around 5,000, while the Bangladeshi Red Crescent Society has said it could reach 10,000. (CNN, Nov. 21) The DMIC says 871 people are still missing and 39,773 were injured in the storm. (DMIC, Nov. 30)

 

DMIC says the storm affected a total of 8,545,470 people, including 1,928,265 families, and damaged or destroyed 1,449,157 houses. (DMIC, Nov. 29) Thirty percent of the houses in Barisal and Khulna divisions were destroyed. (USAID, Nov. 28) UNICEF says 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)

 

The UN’s Rapid Initial Assessment Report, released November 22, said about 4.7 million people were affected in the districts of Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira. Of those, an estimated 2.1 million need immediate life-saving food assistance. Food, shelter and cash were found to be the three highest priority areas for assistance. Sanitation, drinking water, medical supplies and communications and transportation restoration are listed as other high-priority needs in descending order. (UN, Nov. 22) According to the DMIC, at least 1,271 people were killed in Barguna district and at least 769 died in Bagerhat. (DMIC, Nov. 30)

 

More than 14,500 educational institutions were damaged or destroyed. (DMIC, Nov. 29) The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said November 23 that about 1 million primary school-age children were affected by Sidr and of them, 600,000 were not in class. Some remaining school buildings have been turned into emergency shelters. (UNICEF, Nov. 24)

 

Diarrhea outbreaks remain a major concern. The Bangladeshi Department of Health on Thursday reported that 690 active medical teams with 599 doctors operating in nine districts have seen 2,031 cases of diarrhea (one death), 1,057 respiratory tract infections, 1,773 skin disease cases, 579 eye infections and 3,488 cases of fever/typhoid. (DMIC, Nov. 29) The situation is thought to be manageable, officials say, because they have sufficient supplies of re-hydration saline, intravenous fluids, water purifying tables and antibiotics, but it is vital that families be given storage devices to hold the safe drinking water the AFD and US military are transporting to them. The Bangladeshi Health Ministry has opened a special desk to monitor diarrhea outbreaks. Water sources have become contaminated as corpses of cyclone victims, cattle and wild animals float in rivers and canals. Tube wells in most areas have been twisted by the cyclone, according to the World Health Organization. (The New Nation, Nov. 22)

 

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about eight percent of the total area cultivated with Amon (Aman) rice paddy, usually harvested in December, has been damaged. In the 11 worst-affected coastal districts, 95 percent of cultivated areas were damaged. A Bangladeshi Agriculture Ministry assessment says that 1 million metric tons of Aman (Amon) rice production may have been lost, as well as standing crops in an area of about 2.1 million acres (840,624 hectares). (DMIC, Dec. 1) Rice is Bangladesh’s staple food and most important crop, with an average annual production of 27 million tons grown in three seasons: Aus, Aman and Boro. In a report Friday, Oxford Analytica said the local retail price of rice has already increased 15 percent. At least 1,252,344 livestock have been reported dead so far, mostly cattle, buffalo, goats and poultry. (FAO, Nov. 30) Livestock losses amounted to about US$44 million. (Oxford Analytica, Nov. 30) About 982 miles (1,580 km) of road have been heavily damaged and 2,557 miles (4,115 km) partly damaged. Around 1,687 bridges and culverts were damaged. (DMIC, Dec. 1) 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 cyclone caused at least US$4 million in damage to Bangladesh’s important fishing industry and an estimated US$35.7 million to the shrimp industry. (Xinhua, Nov. 23)

 

The AFD has estimated that Cyclone Sidr cost US$2.31 billion in economic losses, including infrastructure, schools, crops and livestock. (Xinhua, Nov. 26) According to the local Daily Star newspaper, leading national economists from the think-tank, the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), estimate that Sidr caused property losses of 65 billion taka (US$929 million) and the estimate is likely to rise as assessments continue. Based on data available from the MoFDM as of November 21, CPD calculated the loss of paddy at 3500 billion taka (about US$500 million), roads and bridges at 11 billion taka (about US$157 million), houses at 7.5 billion taka (about US$107 million), and trees at 5 billion taka (about US$71.4 million). (Xinhua, Nov. 25) The ADB has said that Bangladesh already suffered US$1.4 billion in losses from this year’s monsoon flood season. (The New Nation, Nov. 28)

 

At least 590 square miles (1,528 square km) – or one-quarter - of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, are thought to be destroyed and could take 40 years to recover. The loss could have “dire implications” for forest wildlife, including the Bengal tiger and rare species of deer and crocodiles. GoB officials plan to do a full-scale assessment of damage. (BBC, Nov. 30) Officials say Sidr inflicted more than US$146.1 million (10 billion taka) worth of damage to forest resources and another US$2.9 million (200 million taka) in lost infrastructure in the forest. (The Daily Star, Nov. 30)

 

Although the storm and the subsequent surge cut off power, phone communication and roadways around the country, the GoB said November 22 that road communications had been nearly fully restored. Power is back in most areas, but as of November 28, the Rural Electrification Board had not been able to restore power in most of Barisal division. (The New Nation, Nov. 28) All affected government offices have been supplied with connected cell phones. (The Daily Star, Nov. 22)

 

 

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 geographic 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.

 

 

Government Response

 

The head of Bangladesh’s caretaker government, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, visited cyclone-affected areas, including Bagerhat district, on November 27 and said the government had decided to allocate US$13.1 million (900 million taka) to assist victims of Cyclone Sidr. He also said the government planned to set up multi-purpose cyclone centers to protect the coastal region from disasters and minimize future loss of life and property due to cyclones. (The Daily Star, Nov. 28)

 

Despite Ahmed’s announcement, on Saturday (December 1), DMIC was still reporting that GoB had allocated about US$7.4 million through its Relief and Welfare Fund for Sidr victims. In addition, it has allocated 10,890 metric tons of rice, distributed 27,000 food bags, 26,700 blankets, about 16,454 tents, 3,348 utensils and 13,000 bundles of corrugated iron sheeting. (DMIC, Nov. 26) The GoB has also allocated a special fund of US$9.6 million (650 million taka) for long-term housing construction, including a boost of US$4.4 million (300 million taka) announced Thursday (November 29). (The New Nation, Nov. 30) The Armed Forces Division (AFD) continues to transport relief items by plane, helicopters and boats and has established three relief receiving cells at the Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation, Dhaka Zila Parishad and the Regional Public Administration Center. (DMIC, Nov. 28) The Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM) has opened a Cyclone SIDR Coordination Cell in Barisal district. The Navy has established two “focal points” in Barisal and Bongla districts for more effective transportation of relief materials to remote areas. (The Daily Star, Nov. 22)

 

On Saturday, the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was scheduled to operate three sorties by C-130 and AN-32. The US Army transferred two tons of food in three C-130 sorties, while the US Marines operated six sorties, carrying at least eight tons of relief supplies. (DMIC, Dec. 1)

 

On Saturday, the GoB announced that it has allocated US$7,272 (500,000 taka) to the relief and coordination cell in Barisal for rescue and relief operations. GoB allocated US$4,363 (300,000 taka) for rescue operations and rehabilitation to Madaripur, Shariatpur and Gopalganj districts Saturday. (DMIC, Nov. 12)

 

The Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) has provided 3.5 million water purification tables, a sufficient amount for 125,000 people for two weeks. DPHE plans to distribute an additional 1.5 million tablets. Water treatment plants have been established by GoB, the US military, UN agencies and NGOs around the country, with the potential to provide safe water for up to 960,000 people so far. About 500,000 water containers have been promised, including 200,000 fro IFRC, which should allow officials to get clean water to 2.5 million families in need. (OCHA, Nov. 30)

 

MoFDM Secretary Dr. Mohammad Aiyub Mia announced an MoFDM allocation of US$146,134 (10 million taka) for supplying foods suitable for mothers and babies, as well as a long-term US$30.1 million (206.3 million taka) project for building small culverts on rural roads in 12 districts. (The New Nation, Nov. 30)

 

Under the Bangladeshi Department of Health, 18 senior consultants, nine pediatricians, 93 interns, 100 nurses and nine orthopedic surgeons are operating in affected areas. There is one health department medical team consisting of six doctors with different medical specialties (general medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, anesthesia and orthopedics) operating in each of six districts. A total of 1,193 government doctors are serving patients in the affected areas. (DMIC, Nov. 29)

 

Bangladeshi Naval Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Zahan Nizam said Thursday that assistance had reached 95 percent of affected areas. (The New Nation, Nov. 29)

 

On November 28, the Power Division asked the Finance Ministry for about US$1 million (70 million taka) to repair power installations around the country. (Xinhua, Nov. 28) The Rural Electrification Board has yet to restore power to nine districts in Barisal division. (The New Nation, Nov. 28)

 

The Disaster Emergency Response (DER), composed of UN, NGO and GoB officials, has established six relief clusters and appointed agencies to lead each. For further information regarding clusters, please see www.lcgbangladesh.org/derweb/cyclone_updates.php.

 

The GoB called for international aid on November 20 and so far has received pledges of more than US$500 million in aid from foreign governments, UN agencies and NGOs. (IRIN, Nov. 26) Although still seeking donations, the GoB said Wednesday that it had ruled out the possibility of a food crisis or famine, saying that with international donations it would have enough food to feed people until the next rice harvest in the spring, and that the European Commission had offered support in case of any food shortfall. (The Daily Star, Nov. 29) The GoB has told donors that it needs at least 500,000 metric tons of food grains in assistance to make up for a cyclone-caused national food shortage that is expected to last through April 2008. Donors are asked to procure food donations from the international market in order to avert a further shortage in the domestic market. (The Daily Star, Nov. 28) Food Ministry sources say the government needs at least 1.1 million MT of food in total for its relief programs over the next several months. The GoB currently has a food grain stock of 737,000 MT, of which 200,000 are being immediately released to cyclone-affected areas. (The Daily Star, Nov. 28)

 

Chief of Army Gen. Moeen U Ahmed said Thursday that the GoB planned to bring all cyclone-affected people along the southwest coastline into its Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program, which is set to begin December 1 and provide up to 33 lbs. (15 kg) of rice per month for at least four months. GoB had originally said it would give VGF cards to 2.5 million affected families. (The New Nation, Nov. 30) So far, the GoB has allocated 150,233 metric tons of food items and US$227,795 (15,596,331 taka) for the VGF. (DMIC, Nov. 26)

 

Among the priorities identified by the GoB, UN and NGOs for the next four weeks are search and rescue, burial services, updating the death toll, providing first aid, restoring emergency services, power and communications, repairing drinking water sources and supplying emergency relief. From December 2007 to March 2008, the priorities will include home-building assistance, continued food support and preventing epidemics. In the months after March 2008, the focus will be on rehabilitation of the Sundarban forest, reconstruction, building cyclone shelters, improving the early warning system and expanding the disaster information network. (DMIC, Nov. 22)

 

The GoB has said it will create a Finance Ministry soft-credit fund of US$19 million (1.3 billion taka) to make loans to small traders, fishermen and farmers affected by Sidr. (The Daily Star, Nov. 26)

 

The Bangladesh Army on November 20 said that 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 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)

 

 

National Response

 

The Bangladeshi Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) has more than 2,500 staff engaged in relief efforts, which include the distribution of 176,574 food packages of lentils, energy biscuits, matches, 200 taka (US$2.92) and 10kg of rice to families accounting for 400,000 cyclone victims in 11 districts. (DMIC, Nov. 30) BRAC is also treating contaminated ponds and fixing about four damaged pond sand filters a day. (BRAC, Nov. 22) BRAC has 13 medical teams working in affected regions, including 116 total team members who had served 29,223 people as of November 25. (DMIC, Nov. 27)

 

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BRCS) has about 42,000 volunteers working in coastal areas and with assistance from the IFRC has deployed four assessment teams and 12 mobile health teams, provided family packs of non-food items and 55 MT of food relief to 64,000 families in 15 affected districts, and distributed 42,000 water purification tables in four districts. (OCHA, Nov. 25) According to DMIC, BRCS has so far distributed US$840,000 worth of aid, including 10,200 blankets and at least US$95,587 (6.4 million Bangladesh taka). BRCS has appealed for about US$5.7 million in international assistance. (Xinhua, Nov. 26) IFRC has allocated CHF 250,000 (US$223,000) from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).

 

Shushilan has distributed kits to 25,000 families in two districts. It has also donated molasses and rice. (WFP, Nov. 27)

 

Proshika has a medical team and livestock recovery workers in nine districts working through hubs in Jhalokati and Tashika and has installed six water treatment plants. It has prepared a proposal for work in the areas of health, water and sanitation, food, shelter and livestock recovery. (WFP, Nov. 27) By November 29, Proshika had secured 3,500 MT of warehouse capacity in Jamalpur and Magura, but was having trouble obtaining local transportation for its deliveries. (WFP, Nov. 29)

 

 

International Response

 

According to the UN, GoB has so far received offers of more than US$500 million in international emergency aid. (IRIN, Nov. 26) According to the UNOCHA Financial Tracking System, the total amount of received contributions and confirmed pledges as of Nov. 24 was some US$122 million. (UNOCHA, Nov. 24)

 

The GoB is seeking five lakh (500,000) MT of rice from the international community as assistance to keep a minimum food stock of one million tons. So far, the WFP has promised 71,000 MT, India 50,000 (MT) and the US promised 25,000 MT. (Daily Star, Nov. 28)

 

 

United Nations

 

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator released a total of US$14.7 million in Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) allocations. (OCHA, Nov. 30)

 

OCHA says the UN Country Team in conjunction with the GoB has been managing the six clusters that have been formed in support of the overall response and recovery plan: 1) Food (led by the WFP), 2) Water and sanitation (UNICEF), 3) Health (WHO), 4) Shelter (IFRC), 5) Logistics (WFP), and 6) Early Recovery (UNDP). (OCHA, Nov. 23)

 

According to the UN Rapid Initial Assessment Report, food, shelter and cash are identified as the three highest priority areas for assistance. Sanitation, drinking water, electricity, livelihood assistance and early recovery are also urgently needed. (OCHA, Nov. 30)

 

The UN has published a Rapid Initial Assessment report on the nine worst-affected districts. The report is available at: http://www.cdmp.org.bd/publications/Cyclone_Sidr_UN_Rapid_Initial_Assessment_Report.pdf (DMIC, Nov. 22)

 

According to OCHA, a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been stood down. (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 kg of flattened rice and 1 kg of molasses per family for some 70,000 families in several districts. UNDP also plans to provide 240,000 packets of water purification powder or one week supply for each family through Bangladesh National Scouts (BNS). (DMIC, Nov-18)

 

UNICEF is appealing for US$29.2 million to support the needs of women and children. UNICEF says approximately half of the affected people are children and some 600,000 are under five years of age. An estimated 300,000 children under the age of five are living throughout the disaster zone in makeshift camps with their families and are surviving on meager food and water, without proper shelter or access to basic amenities. (UNICEF, Nov. 30) UNICEF also says some 2.8 million will require long-term support and some 523,000 are in need of medicine and medical services. (UNICEF, Nov. 29) UNICEF will support the national response in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, education, child protection, education and the provision of non-food items. UNICEF is taking the lead in the WASH cluster. Beyond clusters it is facilitating sectoral coordination among the development partners and the NGOs in four other areas: nutrition, education, protection - together with Save the Children - and emergency telecommunications. (UNICEF, Nov. 28) UNICEF and Save the Children are setting up “safe places” for child protection, which will also be used as temporary learning centers with the provision of School-in-a-Box Kits (UNOCHA, Nov. 24), as some 600,000 school-age children are currently not in class due to cyclone damage. (UNICEF, Nov. 23) UNICEF has set up dozens of camps to care for children orphaned by the cyclone. (AFP, Nov. 22) A stock of 7.3 million WPT (Water Purification Tablets) provided by UNICEF during the recent floods are available for immediate distribution. UNICEF is supplying 92 metric tons of BP5 biscuits to aid 15,400 children and 11,600 pregnant and lactating women in six districts. (UNICEF, Nov. 23) UNICEF, in conjunction with the WFP, Save the Children USA and local NGOs commenced a mass distribution of BP5 biscuits and family kits December 1 to children under the age of three and pregnant and lactating women in Patuakhali, Barguna, Barisal, Bagerhat, Pirojpur and Jhalokathi districts. This campaign will be followed by a distribution of blended foods from the WFP and the GoB. (UNICEF, Nov. 30) A program officer from UNICEF will visit the Sundarbans mangrove forest Saturday (December 1). (Daily Star, Nov. 30)

 

The UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) met November 16 to assess the situation and strategize a joint UN response.

 

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said that it is sending a mission of experts to focus primarily on the Sundarbans mangrove forest, which was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. The 140,000-hectare forest is home to many endangered species, including the Bengal tiger. (UNNS, Nov. 27)

 

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will start a food and livelihoods assessment on December 3 to determine the impact on agricultural production, fisheries and forestry. (USAID, Nov. 26) FAO has established an emergency coordination and rehabilitation unit within the FAO Representation in Bangladesh. (AHN, FAO, Nov. 24, Nov. 30). The cyclone caused at least US$4 million in damage to Bangladesh’s important fishing industry and an estimated US$35.7 million to the shrimp industry. (Xinhua, Nov. 23) FAO is assisting 47,000 households with seeds and other agricultural inputs such as fishing nets and intends to support more than 100,000 families in livelihood rehabilitation. (OCHA, Nov. 23)

 

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) on November 29 announced a plan to provide emergency food aid to 2.2 million people over the next six months. The operation will follow the work of the UN Rapid Assessment Mission, which found 4.7 million people were affected in the worst districts, of which 2.2 million are in need of immediate food assistance. The operation will cost some US$52 million. (WFP, Nov. 29) WFP’s 6-month Emergency Operation (EMOP) will distribute 20,000 MT of commodities a month. WFP chaired the first meeting of the interagency logistics response team (LRT). USAID says the LRT is functioning as the logistics cluster as a full cluster has not yet been activated at present. Partners report no constraints or significant gaps at this time. (USAID, Nov. 27) WFP has delivered more than 300 metric tons of biscuits and more than 430 tons of rice. (WFP, Nov. 29) WFP has begun distribution of 750 metric tons of rice to 25,000 families in Barguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barisal and Bagerhat districts. (WFP, Nov 23) UN partners are distributing dry food – flattened rice and molasses – to 70,000 affected families. (UNOCHA, Nov. 24) A WFP assessment found that US$30 million would be required for food for the next three months. (IHT, Nov. 22)

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) deployed six coordinators and a consultant to facilitate district-level health coordination and assist local health officials in collecting public health information as part of disease surveillance. (WHO, Nov. 28) WHO has provided medical support of US$3.24 million, including US$74,000 in medicine to replenish buffer stock. WHO deployed two Emergency Health Advisors to the affected areas to assist in monitoring disease outbreak in collaboration with GoB. (UNOCHA, Nov. 24)

 

 

NGOs / IOs:

 

ActionAid is launching a 1 million-Euro (US$1.5 million) appeal. ActionAid is working closely with partner organizations on the ground to distribute essential relief items to over 30,000 people. Preparations are also under way for a second round of relief. (AA, Nov. 22) ActionAid will be working in collaboration with professional organizations and mental health experts. The main focus of its psychosocial work will be women, children, people with disabilities, people who have lost family members and older people who have been affected by the disaster. A psychosocial care team has been formed. ActionAid and the 12 other members of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) are working in the worst-affected districts to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the cyclone. (AA, Nov. 30)

 

Action Contre La Faim (ACF) is targeting 25,000 families in Barguna and Patuakali with shelter, food and water and sanitation assistance. (WFP, Nov. 27)

 

Action Against Hunger – USA is targeting communities with little access to food, no potable water or proper sanitation, and whose needs for shelter and emergency non-food items are most urgent. The post-emergency phase will target rehabilitating basic infrastructure and restoring self-sufficiency. (AAH, Nov. 21)

 

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

 

Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) has sent an assessment team. ACTED says it will begin an emergency response to help affected communities. (ACTED, Nov. 28)

 

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) says it is expanding its response to meet the immediate needs of some 15,500 additional survivors, to bring the total to some 20,000 people in eight affected communities. The four-week project is valued at US$250,000. (ADRA, Nov. 28).

 

American Red Cross immediately released US$200,000 as its initial response. Soon after, 5,000 tarps and 25,000 blankets were sent. (ARC, Nov. 28) The ARC also contributed US$1 million to the IFRC through a grant from USAID's OFDA. ARC says it will provide US$1.2 million to get clean water to survivors and build emergency shelters. (ARC, Nov. 20)

 

Americares Foundation delivered 20 tons of emergency medicines and supplies, including antibiotics and analgesics. (Americares, Nov. 28)

 

Asian Development Bank (ADB) says that natural disasters in the country might bring down the country’s GDP growth to below 6 percent, from 6.5 percent predicted earlier. (New Nation, Nov. 28) ADB says it will announce a soft loan of US$180 million. Of the total, ADB will provide US$120 million, while Japan, Sweden, Canada and the Netherlands will provide the rest. (New Nation, Nov. 26) ADB has already pledged US$20 million dollars. (AFP, Nov. 24)

 

Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) has sent a 12-member medical team and distributed relief items to benefit over 4,000 people. (DMIC, Nov. 28)

 

Austcare, in partnership with ActionAid, is supporting organizations on the ground assisting in the rescue effort and providing relief. Austcare intends to provide assistance to 15,000 survivors (3,000 families) in Khulna and Bagerhat. (Austcare, Nov. 21)

 

The British Red Cross has set up a Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal. (BRC, Nov. 19) Four BRC logistics experts went to Bangladesh on November 21 to help distribute relief. Based in Dhaka, the logistics Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is coordinating distribution. (BRC, Nov. 21)

 

CARE, working with local partner NGOs, has provided emergency food packages and relief materials to 37,000 families. By the time the current phase ends in early December, CARE will have supplied a total of 85,000 families. (CARE, Nov. 29)

 

Caritas: Caritas Spain contributed US$288,184 for emergency aid. (OCHA, Nov. 20) So far, the worldwide Caritas Internationalis network has received over US$2 million in donations from a number of members, of which Development and Peace has donated US$101,200 (CA$100,000). Caritas Bangladesh field staff identified local sources of food suppliers who could supply immediate food items. It has already started food distribution for 23,500 families located in Chittagong, Barisal and Khulna, since it has programs in these areas. (DP, Nov. 23)

 

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

 

China Red Cross: has given US$50,000 to Bangladeshi Red Cross. (RCSC, Nov. 20)

 

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is distributing water purification tablets, (UNOCHA, Nov. 24) as well as food packages for 10,000 families. (UNOCHA, Nov. 23)

 

Church World Service (CWS) is supporting the efforts of partners in providing rice, pulses, salt, oil, and rehydration salts for more than 35,500 people, focusing on the most vulnerable. (CWS, Nov. 22)

 

Concern Worldwide is distributing 750 MT of rice in Barguna and distributing shelter items and working with three local partners for implementation. (WFP, Nov. 26) Concern started relief operations on November 24 for 26,000 poor families in Patuakhali and Barguna districts. The agency has received funding of US$850,269 (580,000 Euros) from the European Commission, US$26,690 (18,000 Euros) from People in Need and US$146,603 (100,000 Euros) from Irish Aid. Implementing partner organizations are Speed Trust in Patuakhali and Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) and Sangram in Barguna. (DMIC, Nov 25)

 

Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) (Scotland) has launched an appeal. The DEC represents 13 leading UK aid agencies. Its members are: ActionAid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision. (BBC, Nov. 22)

 

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) In partnership with ACT International, ERD will be supporting the relief efforts of the Church of Bangladesh. (ERD, Nov. 19)

 

Food for the Hungry International (FHI) FHI Bangladesh has distributed emergency relief to over 15,300 people. FHI is focusing on the most vulnerable people in coastal areas of Barguna and Patuakhali districts. (FHI, Nov. 29)

 

Global Medic is sending aid items and expects to deploy a water and medical team, pending confirmation from their partner, Muslim Aid, on the ground. (David McAntony Gibson Foundation–Canada, Nov. 17)

 

Habitat for Humanity International plans to assist up to 3,000 families and is seeking over US$1 million in funding. (HHI, Nov. 26) HHI is sending a team to assess the housing needs in 12 districts in order to develop a long-term housing solution in the aftermath of the cyclone. Mobile Habitat Resource Centers (HRCs) will be set up to coordinate a long-term response. (HHI, Nov. 22)

 

Handicap International (HI), present on the ground in Bangladesh for 10 years, immediately sent an assessment team to the area. The association will also work with other organizations in Bangladesh. (HI, Nov. 21)

 

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the lead for the shelter cluster. IFRC released an emergency appeal seeking CHF 24,483,160 (US$22.2 million) in cash, kind and services to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in assisting 243,000 families (1,215,000 individuals) for two years. (IFRC, Nov. 26). The Federation also deployed a Field Assessment and Coordination (FACT) team on 19 November which has since returned to Dhaka. (IFRC, Nov. 23) On November 16, seven teams of IFRC and BRC members were deployed for rapid assessments and rescue and medical mobile teams were on standby. (IFRC, Nov. 16)

 

International Medical Corps’ team is on the ground focusing on providing medical supplies, non-food items, nutrition support, water/sanitation and hygiene. IMC is identifying a local aid group for receiving and distributing emergency supplies, including health kits, water purification tablets and other aid. (IMC, Nov. 29)

 

Islamic Development Bank approved US$200,000 to provide emergency assistance. (IDB, Nov. 19)

 

Islamic Relief has allocated US$1 million 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) Islamic Relief distributed 1.1 metric tons of emergency food. (UNOCHA, Nov. 23)

 

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is conducting assessments of affected areas in Bhada, Bhola, and Barguna districts. MSF has not observed significant health needs in those areas but will continue to monitor them. MSF has also distributed 5,000 hygiene kits. (USAID, Nov. 27)

 

Medical Assistance Programs (MAP) has been in contact with relief workers on the ground to determine immediate and long-term needs. (MAP, Nov. 16)

 

Medical Teams International is sending a team carrying some US$15,000 in medical supplies. (MTI, Nov. 21)

 

Mercy Corps is helping colleague organizations on the ground in Bangladesh deliver relief. (MC, Nov. 19)

 

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is assessing humanitarian needs in southern Bangladesh. (MCC, Nov. 20)

 

Muslim Aid with Global Medic set up a water purification plant in Saudkhali and provided over 70,000 liters of clean drinking water, distributed over 2.8 million water purification tablets and has started to install 19 portable water purification systems in isolated communities to provide clean drinking water for up to 50,000 people a day. (Muslim Aid, Nov. 30). Muslim Aid and Global Medic deployed an inflatable field hospital in Saudkhali that treats an average of 900 patients per day and provided medicine to 30,000 patients. (OCHA, Nov. 26) 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 to expand capacity to teat up to 2,000 patients a day. Muslim Aid has allocated £250,000 (US$516,000) and pledged to raise a total of £3 million (US$6.2 million). The group has engaged 150 staff and over 700 volunteers. (Muslim Aid, Nov. 30)

 

Norwegian Church Aid on November 29 sent 5.5 tons of water purification equipment to Dhaka that can provide clean drinking water to more than 40,000 people daily. (NCA, Nov. 30)

 

Oxfam and ECHO are jointly responding to the immediate water and sanitation needs of families in Bagarhat, Pirokjpur, Patuakhali and Barguna. Over 1,200 families are doing clean-up work through a “cash for work” program. (Oxfam, Nov. 23) 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. Oxfam’s 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. (Oxfam, Nov. 19) These Oxfam affiliates have launched appeals to help relieve the problems affecting the country: Oxfam America, Oxfam Australia, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Germany, Oxfam GB, Oxfam New Zealand and Oxfam Solidarité (Belgium). (Oxfam, Nov. 20)

 

Oxfam Australia has contributed AUD$100,000 to the relief effort. (Oxfam, Nov. 20)

 

Plan says aid is being distributed to 50,000 people affected by the storm. Plan has provided an initial US$100,000 from its emergency fund. Initial relief efforts, expected to last around 3 months, will concentrate on providing supplies and psychological support for children. Plan Bangladesh will also work to help rebuild schools and communities. Plan will also be working to provide safe spaces for children. (Plan, Nov. 22). Plan Bangladesh and one of its partner NGOs, Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), left Dhaka November 16 to start relief operations. (Plan Bangladesh, Nov. 17)

 

Relief International (RI) has dispatched its Bangladesh Disaster Response team from Dhaka to the coastal region. (RI, Nov. 21)

 

Rotary Club (UK) has handed over 224 shelter box kits to the AFD. (DMIC, Nov. 28)

 

Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) is providing emergency support for more than 35,000 people in southern Bangladesh through the ACT network. (PWSD, Nov. 23)

 

Save the Children launched an appeal November 19 for funds to aid children and families affected by the storm. (Save the Children, Nov. 19) SC started distributing 10,000 emergency non-food items on November 16. Additionally, 1,500 blankets and 10,000 water tablets were dispatched to the affected area, and 19 teams were deployed to assess damage and needs. (Save the Children Alliance, Nov. 16)

 

ShelterBox has a five-volunteer time in Rayenda/Gabatula and is distributing boxes with 10-person tents, blankets, cooking equipment, tools and other equipment via AFD and helicopters from the USS Kearsarge. (ShelterBox, Nov. 30)

 

Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) says the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) will assess its impact on the animals vital to their survival and recovery. (SPANA, Nov. 19)

 

Solidarites has sent in an emergency team to provide emergency humanitarian aid. (Solidarites, Nov. 22)

 

SOS-Kinderdorf International: SOS Children's Villages will provide building materials for families who have lost their homes. (SOS, Nov. 21)

 

Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) mission with UNICEF and OCHA is supporting the UN’s work in communications and IT. (DMIC, Nov. 26). TSF is in Dhaka in order to organize team deployments in the cyclone affected areas. 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 has increased its aid to local partners to US$300,000 (200,000 Euros). Trocaire’s local partner Uttaran is helping to distribute food, water and clothes. (Trocaire, Nov. 28)

 

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) anticipates its response to be through partner agencies in Action by Churches Together and Muslim Aid. ACT is initiating an emergency response to assist over 7,000 families with food, blankets and other needed items. (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. (WC, Nov. 19)

 

World Emergency Relief (WER) is preparing a shipment of medical and hygiene supplies. Items will be distributed by WER’s local partners. (WER, Nov. 26)

 

World Relief through its partner organization Christian Service Society in Bangladesh plans to deliver unspecified relief supplies to some 6,900 cyclone-affected families (some 34,500 people) in Khulna and Dhaka. (WR, Nov. 30)

 

World Vision (WV) had deployed 135 staff members and 7,000 volunteers to provide food, shelter and other relief to an initial 100,000. 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. (WV, Nov.16) World Vision is distributing 332 metric tons of food for 14,500 families. WV is also providing clothing and blankets (20,000 pieces) for 5,500 households and relief items from DanChurchAid’s (DCA). (UNOCHA, Nov. 23)

 

 

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). (GoB, Nov. 20)

 

Canada has pledged US$3.4 million. (UNOCHA, Nov. 21)

 

China has pledged US$1 million. (UNOCHA, Nov. 21)

 

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

 

Denmark has pledged US$965,764. (UNOCHA, Nov. 21)

 

Estonia has pledged US$46,045. (UNOCHA, Nov. 21)

 

European Commission European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) pledged a total of US$9.5 million. (European Commission, Nov. 19) EC assured GoB it would lend support in case of any food shortfall. (Daily Star, Nov. 29)

 

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. (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$22 million, which includes cash, and other relief items. (DMIC, Nov. 22, Government of India, Nov. 19). Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Dhaka December 1 and handed over a consignment of relief goods including powdered milk, blankets, water filters, food and medicines to his Bangladeshi counterpart, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury. (Reuters, Dec. 1)

 

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

 

Italy will add US$5.9 million (400,000 Euros) to its earlier declaration of 100,000 Euros (US$1.5 million) in assistance. (Daily Star, Nov. 22) US$1.5 million will be used on behalf of the IFRC and US$5.9 million will be used on behalf of WFP. (GoI, Nov. 22)

 

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). Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has delivered relief items from its warehouse in Singapore to Dhaka. (JICA, Nov. 20)

 

Jordan says it has sent medical supplies, food, tents and blankets, which will arrive in the coming two days. (GoJordan, Nov. 28)

 

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

 

Libya is contributing US$1 million to the Bangladesh relief effort. (DMIC, Nov. 22)

 

The Netherlands have pledged US$1.4 million. (UNOCHA, Nov. 21)

 

Norway has offered a grant of some US$3.27 million. (Nov. 30)

 

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

 

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has committed US$500,000 through its Fund for International Development, to go to the IFRC. (UNOCHA, Nov. 21)

 

Pakistan A total of 104 members of the Pakistan Army medical team are working at Mathbaria, Zia Nagar, and Patharghata sub-districts and adjacent areas. The Pakistani Army has also opened a 30-bed field hospital. (New Nation, Nov. 26) Pakistan will send 46,000 pounds (20.8 MT) in relief goods. (DMIC, Nov.22)

 

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

 

Saudi Arabia announced that it was contributing 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)

 

South Korea has pledged some US$500,000. (Daily Star, Nov. 29)

 

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, SEK2 million (US$319,000) to UNICEF and SEK10 million (US$1,594,000) to the Swedish Red Cross. (SIDA, Nov. 20)

 

Switzerland: The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) increased humanitarian aid by an additional CHF 300,000 (US$272,000), bringing the total to US$454,000. (SDC, Nov. 23)

 

Thailand has delivered over 8 MT of relief goods.

 

Turkey donated US$1 million. (New Nation, Nov. 28)

 

United Kingdom (UK) on Nov. 28 said its Department for International Development (DFID) would increase its aid package another US$4.1 million, raising the total to US$14.4 million. (AFP, Nov. 29) UK will provide 43,000 blankets and 20,000 Jerry cans. (WFP, Nov. 26) British Telecom will help restore the telecommunication system without any cost to GoB. (New Nation, Nov. 28)

 

The United States (US) A US army medical team opened a facility in the Patuakhali hospital compound on Monday (Nov. 26) and has so far treated some 700 people for injuries and malnutrition. (Reuters, Nov. 30) According to DMIC, on Dec. 1, the US Army flew three C-130 sorties of food items. US Marines also operated six sorties of relief items, including food, shelter and water using CH-46, CH-53 and UC-35 aircraft. (DMIC, Dec. 1). USAID/DART in conjunction with USAID/Bangladesh and GoB, assessed the water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in Dubla Char, Khulna Division. USAID/DART reported that the Bangladesh navy successfully met water needs there. DART found humanitarian indicators and conditions are at pre-cyclone levels. USAID/DART recommends medium- to long-term interventions to improve water/sanitation and hygiene conditions in Dublar Char. (USAID, Nov. 29) USAID/DART presented relief supplies from a second airlift on Nov. 28. Between Nov. 28 and Dec. 3, four USAID/DART members will conduct assessments to determine where USAID/OFDA may provide additional assistance. (USAID, Nov. 29) As of Nov. 27, DoD had conducted 21 relief sorties, which delivered 8,233 gallons of water and 18,008 pounds of medical supplies. (USAID, Nov. 28) US officials say a total of 2,381 troops have been deployed since November 23. The USS Tarawa will arrive in the first week of December to replace the USS Kearsarge, Bangladesh military officials said. (Reuters, Nov. 29). The US military is operating an “air bridge” with three C-130s from Dhaka to Barisal and using 10 helicopters for onwards distribution to five sites per day. The US is also operating air-cushioned boats from Chittagong to coastal locations in the south. (WFP, Nov. 29) US forces are expected to deliver 160 tons of relief goods by the end of the week. (US Navy, Nov. 29) The US Embassy says the USNS Concord is nearby to re-supply the USS Kearsarge. (New Nation, Nov. 28) The US military is also expected to open a 125-bed hospital in worst-affected Mirzaganj sub-district. (BBC, DMIC, Reuters, New Nation, Nov. 26) An 18-member DoD medical team that was in the country prior to Sidr is now assisting in relief efforts. The DoD has also deployed a 23-member Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST) to identify key areas, scope and duration of support. (USAID, Nov. 23) A five-member USAID/OFDA assessment team in Bangladesh is working with the US Embassy in Dhaka, US DOD, NGOs, and the GoB to assess damage and coordinate USG efforts. (CNN, Nov. 21) A nine-person DART is also in the country. (USAID, Nov. 23) In total, the US has provided more than US$14.5 million in funding and commodities, including more than US$10 million in food assistance. (USG, Nov. 29)