The situation is disastrous in the most affected areas

4 December 2007 - The effects of Cyclone Sidr, which struck Bangladesh on 15th November, are devastating. Populations in the south of the country have lost everything and the humanitarian situation is becoming worse. Action Against Hunger’s teams have launched an emergency operation in the Burguna district, one of the districts most affected by the disaster.

Immense needs and huge distress in Barguna district*

Nearly 100,000 families have been affected by the catastrophe in Barguna district. Despite the mobilisation of resources by the Bangladesh government, the basic needs of many families still cannot be assured. As Franck Lepaul, member of Action Against Hunger’s emergency response team, comments: “This is a truly disastrous situation. People have lost everything and they do not have access to food or drinking water. Affected populations find themselves in an extremely precarious situation; they have no shelter and many have lost their family members and have been displaced.  People are extremely distressed.”

Improving access to water, hygiene and food

Action Against Hunger is particularly concerned about the risk of diarrhoeal diseases due to lack of access to drinking water and hygiene. Surface water and water points were contaminated when the cyclone battered coastal areas. In addition, there is little access to food:  95% of stocks and harvests were destroyed, livestock was killed, and fields were ruined in a region where most people are farmers or fishermen. In the aftermath of cyclone Sidr, Action Against Hunger is concerned about the nutritional situation of the most vulnerable people, especially children.

A race against time

“Humanitarian organisations such as Action Against Hunger are racing against time to provide assistance to affected populations and prevent the humanitarian situation from deteriorating. All logistical means are being used to access affected populations, including boats and helicopters. Both the access to vulnerable populations and the transporting of aid supplies in record time to respond to urgent needs is a major challenge,” comments Franck Lepaul. Action Against Hunger’s teams are supporting their Bangladeshi partners with activities including the rehabilitation of wells, the distribution of water chlorination kits and the construction of latrines.

Some 6.8 million people have been affected by the disaster. More than 3,000 people have died. 1,000 people have disappeared and approximately 15,000 people have been injured.

Action Against Hunger has launched a Bangladesh Cyclone Emergency Appeal. To make a donation, please visit www.aahuk.org or call 020 8293 6190.

* Picture Copyright: Reuters/Rafiquer Rahman courtesy www.alertnet.org

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