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Bangladesh

Bangladesh: Disaster Management Information Centre situation report 3 Jun 2009

Attachments

Current Situation

A strategic assessment of the cyclone's impact in Satkira and Khulna was made over the past two days during a visit by the Director General, Disaster Management Bureau and Chief Technical Advisor, Comprehensive Disaster Management Bureau. During their visit extensive discussions were held with district, upazila, union, elected officials and affected communities in both districts, including a meeting of the Satkira District Disaster Management Committee under the chair of the Deputy Commissioner.

The visit reinforced that the extent of damage to the embankment system has created a potentially long term people and food management challenge. Relief efforts in both districts are progressing well, particularly in Satkira where the AFD are coordinating and supporting delivery. Khulna is facing some distribution problems, particularly in reaching those living on remote area embankments, owing to resource shortfalls and the lack of a rigorous coordination and monitoring system particularly at the union level. Although communities in both districts are working extremely hard to make temporary repairs to embankments the extent of water logging in some areas (and particularly around Dacope and Koyra Upazilas in Khulna District and Gabura and Padma Pukur Unions in Satkira District) may prevent many tens of thousands of people from returning to their villages for a number of weeks if not months. This situation will delay or in some cases impede the instigation of early recovery programs until the brunt of water has been removed.

This presents potential longer term people management problems that may place embankment dwellers in an extremely vulnerable situation with the onset of the monsoon flood season imminent. The key priorities echoed from officials in both districts was to execute the rapid repair of embankments and the release of saline water back into the river systems so that people can return to their villages. At present many of the embankment dwellers have some shelter from the sun, however far less would have shelter from monsoonal rainfall thus presenting an interim shelter requirement. Water distribution and health services to these people will be an ongoing need.

This presents potential longer term people management problems that may place embankment dwellers in an extremely vulnerable situation with the onset of the monsoon flood season imminent. The key priorities echoed from officials in both districts was to execute the rapid repair of embankments and the release of saline water back into the river systems so that people can return to their villages. At present many of the embankment dwellers have some shelter from the sun, however far less would have shelter from monsoonal rainfall thus presenting an interim shelter requirement. Water distribution and health services to these people will be an ongoing need.

Government and elected officials from both districts were advised to be prepared for a long term operation while at the same time they were encouraged to prepare a strategic plan that incorporated immediate relief strategies together with early recovery and longer term multi sector development initiatives (particularly embankment systems) that factored in risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The death toll due to the cyclone AILA reached 180. Many areas of the affected districts were inundated and houses, roads and embankments were damaged. District level damage report by the GoB is attached with report. However we have started collection of the lower level damages and response report and currently under processing.

Government administration, local elected representatives and other Non Government organizations are continuing their rescue and response operations in cyclone affected areas. These organization have started their relief and rehabilitation operations immediately just after the cyclone crossed over.

Local elected representatives and elites are encouraging and providing confidence to the affected people for facing the situation. The Bangladesh army and Coast Guard are trying to establish local communication and still handling the rescue operations.