DFID provides emergency aid towards Bangladesh cyclone
19 December 2007
On 15 and 16 November, southern Bangladesh was hit by Cyclone Sidr. So far,
over 6 million people have been affected, and 2,997 people have been confirmed
dead. Many more have been injured, and the death toll could reach 10,000 (the
death toll following the 1991 cyclone was 140,000). Also, around 300,000 houses
have been destroyed, as have many crops and large tracts of agricultural land.
Following an initial DFID contribution of £2.5 million, which has been channelled through the UN for immediate relief efforts, a further £2.5 million was pledged on 23 November. On 28 November, an additional £2 million was committed to help survivors to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. During a visit to the affected area on 18 to 19 December, Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, announced a further £3.15 million to repair the damage done to cyclone shelters, rebuild the livelihoods of people who lost crops and livestock, and help the World Food Programme to meet the impending shortage of rice.
During
his visit, the Secretary of State also announced £30 million for the Climate and
Life programme, aimed at enhancing the Government of Bangladesh’s ability to
prepare and adapt for the impacts of climate change. He spoke of the need to
take action now to address these impacts:
“Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change. I have seen first hand the chaos caused by the recent cyclone and the challenges that Bangladesh faces in the near future. Regular flooding will affect up to 40% of the country and 50 million people a year by 2050, and natural disasters are only likely to increase in frequency and ferocity. The UK is taking action now, to help those people whose lives were devastated by Cyclone Sidr, and working in the longer term to give developing countries a stronger voice on the international stage and help them to help themselves in coping with climate change.”
Rebuilding homes, providing food and water, and reaching more people
Already, DFID money
has helped to rebuild more than 16,000 homes, provided
food to 70,000 families and brought clean water to 260,000 families. DFID has also provided 12 lightweight boats
to reach inaccessible parts of Bangladesh, and despatched over 100,000 blankets
for people made homeless. The UK's support following the cyclone now totals almost £10 million, with £4.7 million
also having been provided in response to the severe
floods that occurred this August.
(121 kb)DFID has also contributed to the European Commission's pledge of €6.5 million (approximately £3.6 million) for emergency aid, committing 18% (around £650,000) of the total amount. In addition, DFID has sent four humanitarian response specialists to the affected area to assist with the relief efforts and make recommendations about further UK support. Although the cyclone has had a devastating impact, casualties and damage have been reduced by good early warning systems, which the UK has supported over the past five years through the Central Disaster Management Programme.
Read the press releases:
- Douglas Alexander calls on greater climate change support for the poor
- UK sends boats and blankets for ongoing Bangladesh relief effort
- New UK emergency aid boost for livelihoods and emergency supplies in Bangladesh
- UK gives further funding for Bangladesh cyclone victims
- DFID gives £2.5 million towards immediate cyclone relief efforts in Bangladesh
One village: the need for food, water and repairs
Following
the cyclone, the Head of DFID Bangladesh, Chris Austin, visited Charaldia village,
in Barguna District on the southern tip of the country. It is estimated that 200
people - most of them children - have died in Charaldia as a result of the
cyclone. There has also been damage to property throughout the village, with
several buildings flattened, including the main market, many homes destroyed and
fishing boats washed away or battered into pieces.
Clearing the road to the village is crucial for aid to reach local people. Friendship, a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), announced plans to distribute food and water directly to 24,000 families (144,000 people), and to tour the affected area with five mobile clinics.
As is the case throughout Bangladesh, the people of Charaldia are showing remarkable resilience in the face of the destruction, with efforts underway to clean up and re-open shops, and repair damaged buildings. It is important to restore livelihoods - by providing fishing boats, nets, and crops that can work in saline ground - as soon as possible.
Sustaining the relief effort
Rapid
relief is being provided on the ground by the Government of Bangladesh, with the
assistance of UN agencies and local NGOs, but needs are huge and will require a
sustained effort. The United Nations Rapid Initial Assessment Report (published
22 November) identified the immediate
priorities as food, water, medicines and shelter, with 2.6 million requiring
immediate life and livelihoods relief. Electricity supplies also remain a major
concern, and support is needed for land and water transport.
Douglas Alexander confirmed in November that the UK will consider further appropriate action:
"We will consider our response to additional needs identified, monitor delivery in conjunction with the UN and help the Government of Bangladesh. Further funding will be considered over the next few months."
DFID is also getting feedback about the situation on the ground from a range of sources including the Government of Bangladesh’s Disaster Management Bureau (to which DFID is providing long-term support), the Red Cross and DFID offices in Bangladesh and India.
To date, pledges for relief aid total over $190 million. In addition, the World Bank has pledged $250 million for cyclone needs and rehabilitation. As well as assistance from bilateral donors, a number international NGOs are channelling support to cyclone relief efforts. For example, UK-based Islamic Relief has provided $1 million, with an appeal for up to $6 million.
