ACT Appeal Bangladesh: Relief to Cyclone Sidr affected populations - ASBD72

Appeal Target: US$ 2,495,231

Geneva, 21 December 2007

Dear Colleagues,

Hurricane "SIDR" hit the southern coast of Bangladesh on 15th November 2007 leaving behind a trail of devastation. The most severely affected districts include Satkhira, Khulna,Bagerhat, Narail, Gopalganj, Jessore, Borguna, Patuakhali, Perojpur, Jhalakati, Barisal, Bhola, Luxmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chittagong and Cox's Bazer. The cathegory-5 hurricane on scale 5 made landfall on the Khulna and Barisal coasts with winds of 220 to 240 km an hour. The full extent of the destruction and loss of life is not yet known. However, the cyclone caused extensive damage to crops, houses, school buildings, roads, ripping trees up and disrupting electricity and telecommunication systems and destroyed the water sources and water supplies in the area. A complicating factor is the level of saline and poison of the ground water and the water sources. This has been a problem for a long time, but is escalated by the current disaster. The official death toll is now 3-4000 people and the numbers are still rising. Hundreds of people, especially those living in the coastal areas were evacuated to safer places including near by cyclone shelters. There is an immediate need for dry foods, clean drinking water, blankets and assistance to the affected women and men, boys and girls. 1,5 million people are currently living in shelters and there is an immediate danger of water borne diseases and epidemics.

This appeal caters for the crisis and recovery phases, and includes mainly relief distribution of food and non food items as well as mobile clinic support. This appeal will covers a six month period, ending on the 30th of June 2008. A revision of this appeal is expected early in the year, to include rehabilitation and post crisis interventions.

Name of ACT member/partner:

- Christian Community Development of Bangladesh (CCDB)

- Christian Aid (CA)

- The Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme (CBSDP)

- DanChurchAid(DCA)

- KOINONIA

- Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh (LHCB)

- SHED Board