Bangladesh Cyclone

EMERGENCY RELIEF RESPONSE TO CYCLONE-DEVASTATED BANGLADESH

UPDATE: 18 DECEMBER 2007

A catastrophic cyclone tore through Southern Bangladesh on the 15th of November, inflicting heavy damage to properties and infrastructure. Over 3,200 people have already been killed, with the number rising steadily. Reports have indicated a massive devastation of homes, crops and livestock, as well as severe disruption to electricity, running water and communications.

Muslim Aid immediately allocated £215,000 for emergency aid and launched a fundraising campaign to raise £3million for ongoing relief and rehabilitation. To date we have raised £1.5 million in cash and £500,000 in kind. Our Bangladesh field office is working in three of the four worst-affected areas (Bagerhat, Patuakhali and Pirojpur) with our rapid rescue and emergency relief partner Global Medic, 60 field staff and a network of more than 400 volunteers.

So far aid has been distributed to 18,646 families in Patuakhali and Bagerhat:

Rizwan Hussein, prominent barrister and TV presenter has also travelled to the worst affected areas with Abdul Jolil Miah (Muslim Aid UK Fundraising Manager) and Sheikh Abdur Rahman Madani to assist relief teams in their work.

Relief Distribution

In all three districts, food, clean water, medicines, blankets and clothing have been distributed. 12,500 families have already received food packs (consisting of rice, lentils and potatoes), 6,000 families have been provided with clothing and 3,000 families with blankets. 

Healthcare

In collaboration with Canadian partner Global Medic, Muslim Aid has set up 2 mobile hospitals treating up to 1,600 people every day.  Many of the cases are trauma and injuries caused by the cyclone such as cuts and fractures.  Over a third are being treated for gastric conditions which is indicative of an outbreak of waterborne disease. 

Water & Sanitation

We have distributed 2.8million water purification tablets, installed 19 portable water purification systems and have started to dig tube wells and provide latrines.  Over 70,000 litres of water have been purified and distributed to 14,000 families in different areas.

As Rahul Singh, Global Medic’s team leader said, “From our previous experience we know that in disasters such as floods and cyclones people badly need pure water to drink and they need medical support. Our partnership with Muslim Aid is tremendous because its staff really work for the people.”

Clean-Up Programme

A team of 80 volunteers is working with local communities to clear up the damage caused by the cyclone by removing trees and debris from roads.  Muslim Aid is mobilising local people to participate in the programme by offering “cash-for-work” incentives.  This also aims to provide a means of income to prevent dependence on food hand-outs.  The Muslim Aid team is also working with local community leaders to bury the dead bodies with a funeral ceremony.

Shelter

We have begun a shelter programme by rehabilitating over 40 houses damaged in the cyclone.  Two teams of volunteers have just finished a survey for Patuakhali (Mirjagonj) and Bagerhat (Sharonkhola), gathering data for long-term planning which will include housing, schools, water & sanitation infrastructure, healthcare, livelihoods, training and child support.

We continue to urgently need support for ongoing food and water provision, temporary shelters and rehabilitation including housing and livelihood rehabilitation. The Muslim Aid Bangladesh field office has been in operation since 1991. Over 15 years of experience has given us the infrastructure and expertise to successfully deliver large-scale relief and rehabilitation programmes. Nonetheless our success ultimately depends on external financial support.

Donate online today at www.muslimaid.org or call us on +44 (0)20 7377 4200

NOTE:
• Please see the additional exposure we received on BBC News and BBC London. 
• Abdul Jolil Miah, Fundraising Manager at Muslim Aid has traveled to the field office in Dhaka to work with relief teams in the worst affected areas. Read his blog here.