Thousands of cyclone survivors still at risk in Bangladesh

Tens of thousands of cyclone survivors in Bangladesh – many of them homeless children – remain in critical need of food, water, shelter and medical assistance nearly three weeks after the worst storm of the past decade struck the country's southern coast, killing more than 3,000 people, destroying more than 300,000 homes and closing thousands of schools.
Save the Children, which pre-positioned supplies and emergency response staff in the path of the cyclone before it struck on November 15, has reached more than 130,000 families in eight of the hardest hit districts, but staff members report that tens of thousands of families, including many children, are still in critical need of assistance.
Many survivors from remote villages in the Barguna district have left their homes and have headed to the main highway to seek relief, Save the Children staff reported this week.
“The storm continues to have a devastating impact on children and families, directly affecting more than 2.5 million people, according to government estimates,” said Save the Children’s Bangladesh country director Kelly Stevenson. “The storm washed away countless homes, scattered families throughout the region, and in some cases, separated children from their parents, putting them at risk of abuse and exploitation. Nearly three weeks have passed, and thousands of survivors including children remain injured and missing,” he said.
Stevenson said that extensive emergency preparations saved tens of thousands of lives despite the tremendous destructive force of the cyclone that hit the coast with the same intensity as a storm that killed 140,000 people in Bangladesh in 1991.
“While many survived the cyclone itself, thousands of children and families still lack of clean water, food, shelter and medical supplies, greatly increasing their risk of malnutrition, diarrhoea and other diseases,” Stevenson said. “We must continue to reach as many survivors as quickly as possible. We are appealing to the public to support our efforts to assist children and families affected by this disaster.”
Save the Children estimates that 50 to 90 percent of the region’s rice crop has been destroyed, leaving up to 3 million people at risk of food shortages over the next six months. Children’s health and access to education and families’ loss of income are also of great concern.
Since the storm struck Save the Children has distributed thousands of family food packs, blankets, household items, plastic sheeting, water containers, and basic treatment for diarrhoea. The agency has distributed well over 200,000 high energy biscuits and has set up three water purification plants to serve thousands of families in need of clean drinking water. The agency also has opened dozens of child friendly spaces for children to gather and play in areas that are safe and supervised.
Save the Children, which assisted in the large-scale evacuation of families in the region, is coordinating with local authorities. The agency has dispatched 21 teams to assist in relief efforts. Prior to the storm, the agency deployed equipment, including zodiac rescue boats, to the impact area, and mobilised food and water-purification resources.
Save the Children has been working in Bangladesh since 1972 and in recent years has worked closely with local and national authorities to prepare coastal communities for a severe cyclone. The agency conducted emergency cyclone drills for some 10,000 residents living in the area where the cyclone struck as part of its own preparations.
The agency also provided relief and assisted with recovery efforts after floods left nearly two-thirds of the country under water in June and July.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Call Save the Children Emergency Appeal Line 0800 167 168 to make a donation
• Visit our website and donate: www.savethechildren.org.nz
• Donate at your local Save the Children shop