Bangladesh Cyclone Storm SIDR
24 November 2007
Current Humanitarian Situation
Up to two million people have been displaced following the devastating cyclonic storm which hit the coastal belt of Bangladesh over a week ago. Around 2.5 million people need life saving emergency assistance in the next two to three months (OCHA).
The official death toll stands at 3033 and another 1828 remain missing. 677 million people (1.5 million families) lie affected one week on (MoFDM). Houses, crops, government buildings, educational institutions and roads and embankments across 31 districts (208 sub-districts/1727 unions) have been affected. Large numbers of livestock have been killed in the storm.
Delivery of aid is slow due to the immense logistical difficulties and the sheer scale of devastation. Roads to some areas are still impassable as trees and power lines lie uprooted. Survivors are thronging moving vehicles in the belief that aid is being delivered. This is restricting the movement and accessibility on roads and increasing journey times for relief workers.
With crop plantations wiped out, people will not be able to sustain themselves in the coming months. Waterborne diseases are now starting to take root in areas where there is no clean drinking water because people are drinking contaminated surface and river water. The early winter cold and fog is set to further make living conditions miserable.
The most severely affected districts are Barguna, Bagerhat, Patuakhali and Pirozpur.
Islamic Relief’s Actions
Islamic Relief Bangladesh’s emergency response units are in the affected areas of Bagerhat (sub district Morelgonj) and Patuakhali (sub district Galachipa). To date the following distributions have been conducted
Media
All media queries should be directed to:
Ernie Rizah Zainal Abidin(IRM) at ernie@irm.org.my
Tel: 03 8948 6334
Mobile: 0173101368
Fax: 038948 7339
Website: http://www.irm.org.my/
Funding
Islamic Relief Worldwide partners are actively engaged in fundraising activities for this disaster.
Donations
There are 4 ways to donate:
1) POST or WALK IN DONATION
31-7, Jalan SP2/1
Taman Serdang Perdana
43300 Seri Kembangan
Selangor
Malaysia
2) Direct Deposit
Account: Islamic Relief Malaysia Berhad
Maybank Account No: 562142708704
Please post or fax you deposit bank slips to Islamic Relief office at Fax no: 03 8948 7339
3) INTER BANK GIRO
Alliance Bank, Maybank, Bank Islam, CIMB, RHB Bank, Hong Leong Bank, Mobile Money.
All tranfer are advice to be done at the respective ATM Machines only.
4) Credit Card
Visa & Mastercard
Through the website at www.irm.org.my
Any inquiries for online donations please contact Rina at: rina.rhosky@irm.org.my
or call the office at:03 8948 6334.
Bangladesh Emergency Operation.
For cost efficiency, IR is attempting to purchase relief items through local suppliers.
Here are the items needed for this initial phase of the emergency (the list of needs will evolve with time):
· Blankets
· Jerry Cans
· Family winterised tents
· A rub hall (a big tent used as a warehouse)
· Family kitchen set
· Plastic sheeting (tarpaulin)
· Hygiene clothes for ladies
No garments, food or kerosene stoves requested
Overall target of beneficiaries (in families) = 30,000 families
