Bangladesh - Cyclone Apr 1991 UNDRO Situation Reports 1-10

UNDRO 91/0731
BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO INFORMATION REPORT NO. 1
30 APRIL 1991

1. SEVERE STORM WITH WINDS UP TO OVER 200 KPH HIT BANGLADESHI COASTLINE IN CHITTAGONG AREA ON TUESDAY 30 APRIL. MEDIA REPORT SO FAR MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE KILLED, FIGURE EXPECTED TO RISE. SEVERE DAMAGE TO HOUSING REPORTED AND CHITTAGONG AND COX' BAZAR PARTLY INUNDATED. COMMUNICATIONS WITH AFFECTED AREA INTERUPTED AND NO OFFICIAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT YET AVAILABLE.

2. UNDRO IN CONTACT WITH UNDP/UNDRO REPRESENTATIVE IN DHAKA FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON SITUATION.

3. GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO REQUEST INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS RELIEF EFFORTS.

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA 414242 DRO CH

DPR 310 BGD

UNDRO 91/0740

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO SITUATION REPORT NO. 2
01 MAY 1991

SITUATION

1. CYCLONE, WHICH HIT SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF BANGLADESH WITH CENTER BETWEEN CHITTAGONG AND COX'S BAZAR AT 00.00 H LOCAL TIME ON 30 APRIL, HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED COMMUNICATION FACILITIES. TELEPHONE, FAX, AND TELEGRAPH COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN DHAKA AND STRICKEN AREAS ARE INTERRUPTED AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SEVERELY AFFECTED. ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE THEREFORE PRELIMINARY.

2. MOST AFFECTED AREAS ARE COX'S BAZAR, CHITTAGONG, PATUAKHALI, NOAKHALI, BHOLA AND BARGUNA. AIRPORTS AT CHITTAGONG AND COX'S BAZAR INUNDATED AND CLOSED.

3. NUMBER OF DEAD SO FAR REPORTED 1,000 BUT MIGHT RISE. EARLY WARNING SYSTEM AND CYCLONE SHELTERS EXPECTED TO HAVE MITIGATED NUMBER OF CASUALTIES.

RESPONSE AND INTERNATIONAL APPEAL

4. GOV HAS ESTABLISHED EMERGENCY RELIEF COMMITTEE AND PRIME MINISTER VISITED AREA TO ASSESS SITUATION. ARMY UNITS DEPLOYED TO DISTRIBUTE RELIEF.

5. IN VIEW GRAVITY OF SITUATION GOV ISSUED APPEAL FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IN RELIEF OPERATIONS.

6. ONE UNDRO DELEGATE ALREADY IN DHAKA, A SECOND DELEGATE DUE TO ARRIVE 02/05. WHO AIRLIFTED 12 EMERGENCY KITS TO DHAKA AND HOSPITAL KITS ORDERED FOR IMMEDIATE DISPATCH.

7. FOR CO-ORDINATION PURPOSES, PLEASE ADVISE UNDRO IMMEDIATELY ON PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS (SPECIFYING VALUE BY ITEM), BY TELEX (414242 DRO CH), FAX (41-22-733-5623), OR E-MAIL (UNIENET ID UNX008), WITH COPY RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE (DHAKA).

8. UNDRO'S DESKOFFICER FOR THIS EMERGENCY IS: OLA ALMGREN, TEL. 7310211 EXT 3279, OFFICE NO. 228.

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA 414242 DRO CH

DPR 310 BGD

UNDRO 91/0747

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO SITUATION REPORT NO. 3
02 MAY 1991

SITUATION

1. COMMUNICATION LINE NOW ESTABLISHED WITH UNDP/UNDRO REPRESENTATIVE IN DHAKA WHO IS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH GOV AND MONITORING SITUATION AS WELL AS CO-ORDINATING UN RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY. SO FAR SITUATION REPORTED AS FOLLOWS:

2. CYCLONE FOLLOWED BY TIDAL SURGE HIT ENTIRE COASTAL BELT OF BANGLADESH, AFFECTING POPULATION OF APPROX. 15 MILLION FROM DUBLAR CHAR IN SUNDARBANS TO ST MARTINS ISLANDS OF COX'S BAZAR DISTRICT. MOST AFFECTED DISTRICTS ARE CHITTAGONG, COX'S BAZAR, NOAKHALI, BARISAL, PATUAKHALI, JHALKATI, BHOLA, KHULNA, BAGERHAT, PIROJPUR. LOW LYING ISLANDS HAVE GONE UNDER WATER AS RESULT OF TIDAL SURGE WHICH ROSE UPTO 25 FEET. MOST AFFECTED ISLAND IS SANDWIP. OTHER AFFECTED ISLANDS ARE KUTUBDIA, MONPURA, MOHESHKHALI, DUBLAR CHAR AND ST MARTINS ISLAND.

3. TELECOMMUNICATION LINK WITH OUTSIDE WORLD INTERRUPTED FOLLOWING COLLAPSE OF SATELLITE SYSTEM LOCATED IN CHITTAGONG. TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN DHAKA AND COASTAL DISTRICTS ARE NOT OPERATIONAL. NO COMPLETE ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION EXPECTED UNTIL END OF 02 MAY AT EARLIEST.

4. SO FAR DAMAGE KNOWN TO BE MAJOR WITH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE RENDERED HOMELESS. NUMBER OF DEATHS AS CONFIRMED BY GOV END OF 30/4 IS 1,200 BUT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

5. GOVERNMENT HAS ACTIVATED PRESIDENT'S DISASTER MONITORING CELL WITH MINISTER OF RELIEF TO BE CHIEF CO-ORDINATOR OF THIS CELL. AIRDROPS OF FOOD AND MEDICINES STARTED AND GOV EARMARKED 1,4 MILLION USD FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF. ALL AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS ARMED FORCES INSTRUCTED TO COLLECT DATA AND JOIN RELIEF EFFORTS.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

6. UNDRO CHIEF DELEGATE ARRIVED DHAKA AND ASSUMED FUNCTIONS TO ASSIST IN ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION AND CO-ORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL RELIEF. WHO TEAM ON-SITE WILL CARRY OUT ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL NEEDS. WHO ALSO SENDING ESSENTIAL DRUGS FOR 60,000 PEOPLE FOR ONE MONTH.

7. SWISS GOVERNMENT PUTTING COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AT UNDRO'S DISPOSAL TO ENSURE DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN UNDRO HEADQUARTERS AND FIELD.

8. AMBASSADOR OF USA HANDED OVER MEDICAL SUPPLIES WORTH USD 2 MILLION TO BANGLADESH GOV.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

9. AS OF 01 MAY, GOVERNMENT IS APPEALING FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IN RELIEF EFFORTS. PENDING DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF MOST URGENT NEEDS, CASH PRESENTLY MOST EFFICIENT ASSISTANCE.

10. UNDRO HAS GRANTED USD 50,000 FOR LOCAL PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES.

11. UNDRO'S ACCOUNT AGAINST WHICH CASH CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THIS EMERGENCY CAN BE PAID IS:

LLOYD'S BANK
1, PLACE BEL AIR
1211 GENEVA
ACCT. NO. UNOG TRUSTFUND NO 183598-01-10 REF UNDRO, BANGLADESH CYCLONE

12. FOR CO-ORDINATION PURPOSES, PLEASE INFORM UNDRO IMMEDIATELY AS INDICATED BELOW OF PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS (SPECIFYING VALUE BY ITEM).

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA

UNDRO TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-731.02.11
UNDRO EMERGENCY TEL.NO. (OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS): +41-22-733.20.10

UNDRO DESK OFFICER: OLA ALMGREN, EXT: 3279
PRESS TO CONTACT UNDRO SPOKESPERSON: M. KHATIB, EXT: 2856

UNDRO TELEX: 414242 DRO CH
UNDRO FAX: +41-22-733.56.23
UNDRO ELECTRONIC MAIL: UNIENET ID UNX008

DPR 310 BGD

UNDRO 91/0757

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO SITUATION REPORT NO. 4
03 MAY 1991

1. SECRETARY-GENERAL PEREZ DE CUELLAR IS APPEALING, THROUGH UNDRO, FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO RESPOND GENEROUSLY TO THE PLIGHT OF BANGLADESH AND TO EXTEND ALL ASSISTANCE POSSIBLE IN THE RELIEF EFFORTS FOLLOWING THE CYCLONE. IN A MESSAGE THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS CONVEYED TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF BANGLADESH HIS DEEP DISTRESS AND SYMPATHY AT THE DEVASTING EFFECTS OF THE CYCLONE WHICH STRUCK BANGLADESH ON 30 APRIL, CAUSING VERY HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE AS WELL AS WIDESPREAD DAMAGE TO THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ECONOMY OF THE COUNTRY.

2. UNITED NATIONS DISASTER RELIEF CO-ORDINATOR MR. M. ESSAAFI IS LEAVING FOR BANGLADESH TO REVIEW WITH GOVERNMENT AND ASSESS SITUATION.

3. UNDRO TEAM WITH SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ALREADY IN BANGLADESH SINCE WEDNESDAY.

SITUATION

4. DAMAGE CAUSED BY CYCLONE AND TIDAL WAVE CONSIDERED AS UNPRECEDENTED, FLOODS OF 1987 AND 1988 NOTWITHSTANDING. TIDAL WAVE OF 25 FEET HAS EXCEEDED PREVIOUS RECORD HIGH OF 20 FEET, LEAVING MANY POPULATED ISLANDS COMPLETELY SUBMERGED FOR 8 HOURS AND MORE. LATEST INFORMATION FROM DHAKA PUT NUMBER OF DEAD AT OVER 40,000 OF WHICH 20,000 ON SANDWIP ISLAND ALONE. TOTAL FIGURE PROBABLY MUCH HIGHER AS MANY AREAS COULD NOT YET BE REACHED.

5. HEAVY TOLL NOTWITHSTANDING PREVENTION MEASURES TAKEN BY GOV, WITH UNITED NATIONS SUPPORT, SUCH AS CYCLONE SHELTERS AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM, EXPECTED TO HAVE MITIGATED NUMBER OF CASUALTIES.

6. CYCLONE STRUCK AT MID-POINT IN HARVEST PERIOD OF WINTER GRAIN CROP WHICH SERIOUSLY DAMAGED, AND IMMEDIATE REPLENISHMENT OF NATIONS FOOD SECURITY CONSIDERED AS PRIORITY NEED TOGETHER WITH IMMEDIATE RESTORATION OF BROKEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND FRESH WATER SUPPLIES.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

7. PRIME MINISTER HAS SET UP EMERGENCY FUND AND INSTRUCTED ALL NATIONAL AUTHORITIES TO ENGAGE IN RELIEF EFFORTS. COUNTRY'S OWN RESOURCES OVERWHELMED.

8. 790 MEDICAL TEAMS CONSISTING EACH OF 2 MEDICAL OFFICERS, 3 PARAMEDICS AND 1 TECHNICIAN, WORKING IN AREA AND FURTHER 85 MEDICAL TEAMS AS WELL AS 108 ARMY MEDICAL TEAMS DISPATCHED.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

9. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE REFLECTS WIDESPREAD SYMPATHY WITH RENEWED HEAVY SUFFERING OF BANGLADESH PEOPLE. EEC HAS ANNOUNCED CONTRIBUTION OF 10 MILLION ECUS. LRCS IS APPEALING FOR 14 MILLION SFR. OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE STARTED TO ARRIVE. UNDRO IS ATTEMPTING TO PROVIDE OVERVIEW AND REQUESTS CONSISTENT REPORTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS STANDARD REPORTING FORMAT.

10. IN ANSWER TO THE APPEAL OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED TO UNDRO, IN ADDITION TO TO THE ABOVE:

1. UNDRO SENDING RELIEF FLIGHT FROM PISA WAREHOUSE WITH RELIEF GOODS OFFERED BY ITALY.

12. UNDP/UNDRO RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE HAS CONVENED UNITED NATIONS DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAM TO ASSIST GOV IN ITS RELIEF EFFORTS. HE HAS ALSO CONVENED MEETING WITH AMBASSADORS OF DONOR GOVERNMENTS AND SECRETARY OF RELIEF FOR BRIEFING FOLLOWING HIS PARTICIPATION IN AERIAL ASSESSMENT MISSION TOAFFECTED AREA.

13. WHO HAS PLACED TEAM IN AFFECTED AREA WITH MEMBER FROM DIRECTORATE-GENERAL OF HEALTH SERVICES TO SURVEY DISASTER AREA. TWO OPERATIONS OFFICERS LEAVING ON 5 MAY TO SURVEY DAMAGE TO TUBEWELLS AND SITUATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF FRESH WATER IN DISASER AREA.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

14. DUE TO WIDESPREAD DAMAGE AND INACCESSIBILITY OF AFFECTED AREA, DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF MOST URGENT NEEDED ITEMS STILL PRELIMINARY. HOWEVER, DUE TO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO FRESH WATER SYSTEM, WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS AND MEDICAMENTS TO AVERT DIARRHOEA AND TYPHOID, AND SPECIFIC ANTIBIOTICS, NEEDED AS WELL AS COLLAPSABLE TANKS (PILLOW TANKS).

15. FOLLOWING ARE MOST URGENTLY NEEDED RELIEF ITEMS AS RECEIVED FROM DHAKA, 03/05:

- HELICOPTERS - FOR DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF TO AFFECTED POPULATION. AT PRESENT VERY FEW HELICOPTERS AVAILABLE.

- FLAT-BOTTOMED BOATS - FOR DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF.

- WATER AND READY-TO-EAT-FOOD - FOR DISTRIBUTION OF WATER, PROVISION OF PLASTIC CONTAINERS/BOTTLES ESSENTIAL. PLASTIC CANS AVAILABLE ON LOCAL MARKET AT 6 RESP 4 TAKA EACH DEPENDING ON SIZE. SO FAR READY-TO-EAT-FOOD AVAILABLE ON LOCAL MARKET, HOWEVER, HIGH PROTEIN BISQUITS AND MILKPOWDER NEEDED TO BE AIRLIFTED IMMEDIATELY.

- BASIC SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT SUCH AS TENTS, COOKING UTENSILS ETC.

16. WHO IDENTIFIED PRELIMINARY TARGET POPULATIONS FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO BE 650,000. DETAILED LIST OF MEDICAMENTS AS FOLLOWS:

- SULPHUR ACETAMIDE EYE DROP 10-20 PERCENT - 50,000 VIALS
- BLEACHING POWDER, 25 KG UNIT BAGS - 1,000 BAGS
- CHLORAMPHENICOL EYE OINTMENT - 50,000 PHIALS
- SELESID TABLETS - 10,000
- CLOXACILLIN CAPSULES - 10 MILLION
- CEPHALOSPORIN CAPSULES - 100,000
- INJECTION RINGER'S LACTATE SOLUTION - 100,000 BAGS
- INJECTION 5 PERCENT DEXTROSE IN NORMAL SALINE (50,000 BAGS)
- INJECTION 5 PERCENT DEXTROSE IN AQUA - 50,000 BAGS
- INJECTION ANTI-VENUM SERUM POLYVALENT - 10,000 VIALS
- ANTI-DIPHTHERIC SERUM 10,000 UNITS - 10,000 VIALS
- COTTON 1 LB. PACKETS - 10,000 PACKS
- BANDAGE ASSORTED SIZES 100,000 ROLLS
- EMERGENCY HEALTH KITS FOR 650,000 PEOPLE
- EXPERTISE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH WHO COSTING USD 24,000.

17. SINCE MANY ITEMS AVAILABLE LOCALLY CASH CONTRIBUTIONS MOST URGENT AND EFFICIENT.

18. UNDRO'S ACCOUNT AGAINST WHICH CASH CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THIS EMERGENCY CAN BE PAID IS:

LLOYD'S BANK
1, PLACE BEL AIR
1211 GENEVA
ACCT. NO. UNOG TRUSTFUND NO 183598-01-10 REF UNDRO, BANGLADESH CYCLONE.

19. FOR CO-ORDINATION PURPOSES, PLEASE INFORM UNDRO IMMEDIATELY AS INDICATED BELOW OF PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS (SPECIFYING VALUE BY ITEM).

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA

UNDRO TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-731.02.11
UNDRO EMERGENCY TEL.NO. (OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS): +41-22-733.20.10
UNDRO DESK OFFICER: MR. O. ALMGREN, EXT. 3279.
PRESS TO CONTRACT UNDRO SPOKESPERSON: MR. M. KHATIB, EXT. 2856.

UNDRO TELEX: 414242 DRO CH
UNDRO FAX: +41-22-733.56.23
UNDRO ELECTRONIC MAIL: UNIENET ID UNX008

UNDRO 91/0763

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO SITUATION REPORT NO. 5
5 MAY 1991

SITUATION

1. AT THIS STAGE DEATH TOLL IS OFFICIALLY ESTIMATED TO HAVE REACHED 125,000 OF WHOM 60,000 DIED IN CHITTAGONG DISTRICT ALONE AND 30,000 IN SANDWIP ISLAND. WITH INFORMATION COMING FROM AREAS, SO FAR ISOLATED AND INACCESSIBLE, CASUALTY FIGURE IS PREDICTED TO INCREASE FURTHER. LOCAL MEDIA ESTIMATE HAS ALREADY PUT DEATH FIGURE AS HIGH AS 150,000.

2. GOVERNMENT ESTIMATE OF SURVIVORS WHO ARE IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF DRINKING WATER AND DRY FOOD IS EXCEEDING 2 MILLION. WITH PASSING OF EACH HOUR THEIR LIVES ARE AT STAKE UNLESS MASSIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO AT LEAST SUPPLY ADEQUATE DRINKING WATER. WHO ESTIMATES CALL FOR A DAILY REQUIREMENT OF TWO LITRES OF DRINKING WATER PER CAPITA.

3. LOCAL MEDIA HAVE REPORTED OUTBREAK OF DIARRHOEA AT MANY REMOTE PLACES. MOST OF THESE AREAS HAD PRE-CYCLONE FOCAL EPIDEMIC OUTBREAKS OF DIARRHOEA, AS A RESULT POPULATION IS MORE PRONE TO DYSENTERIC AND ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS (HENCE THE URGENT NEED FOR ANTIBIOTICS AND INTRAVENOUS FLUIDS AS PER SITREP NO.4 OF 3 MAY). IMMEDIATE PROVISION OF WATER AND FOOD IS ALSO OF UTMOST URGENCY.

4. TELEX AND TELECOMMUNICATION LINKS BETWEEN DHAKA AND OUTSIDE WORLD MOSTLY RESTORED AND AS OF FRIDAY 3 MAY CHITTAGONG AIRPORT OPENED TO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC.

COUNTRY LEVEL RESPONSE

5. PRIME MINISTER HAS ESTABLISHED RELIEF FUND TO WHICH RESPONSE AS OF TODAY AMOUNTING TO TAKA 4.5 MILLION (APPROX. USD 130,000).

6. GOVERNMENT DEPLOYED ARMED FORCES FOR RELIEF AND RESCUE OPERATION UNDER SUPERVISION OF LOCAL AREA COMMANDERS AND APPOINTED SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE OFFICIALS FOR CHITTAGONG AND OTHER AREAS. CABINET MINISTERS HAVE TAKEN UP POSITION IN AFFECTED DISTRICTS FOR OVERALL DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF RELIEF AND RESCUE MEASURES.

7. PRIME MINISTER HELD MEETINGS WITH DONOR REPRESENTATIVES, UN AGENCIES AND NGOS.

8. UNITED NATIONS/UNDRO WITH UN DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAM EXPRESSED AT ITS FIRST MEETING THAT SPECIFIC TARGETTING FOR WORST AFFECTED AREAS NECESSARY I.E. CHITTAGONG, COX'S BAZAR, ISLANDS OF NOAKHALI DISTRICTS ONLY.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

9. PROVISIONAL QUANTIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE BASED ON NUMBER OF SEVERELY AFFECTED SURVIVORS WHICH IS NOW ESTIMATED OVER 2 MILLION (HEALTH SECTOR SEE BELOW). MORE PRECISE ESTIMATION TO FOLLOW.

HEALTH SECTOR

10. WHO IS APPEALING URGENTLY FOR FOLLOWING ITEMS NEEDED WITHIN HEALTH SECTOR FOR IMMEDIATE TARGET GROUP OF 650,000:

DETAILS ON ABOVE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM WHO/ERO/EPR. CONTRIBUTIONS IN CASH CAN BE CHANNELED THROUGH WHO. CONTRIBUTIONS IN KIND CAN BE DELIVERED TO WHO REPRESENTATIVE IN DHAKA OR DIRECTLY TO MIN. OF HEALTH.

11. OUTSTANDING NEEDS IN OTHER SECTORS AS FOLLOWS:

RELIEF DISTRIBUTION

12. SUPPORT TO GOV. DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS NEEDED PREFERABLY BY MECHANIZED SHALLOW COUNTRY BOATS (ABUNDANTLY AVAILABLE LOCALLY FOR HIRE) AND HELICOPTERS, AS WELL AS PROVISION OF PLASTIC CANS/BOTTLES FOR WATER AND TRANSPORT READILY EDIBLE FOOD.

13. ACCESS BY SEA TO CHITTAGONG PORT OBSTRUCTED HAMPERING MOVEMENT FOR SHIPS CARRYING RELIEF GOODS. GOV. SEEKING INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO CLEAR SEA LANES AS WELL AS REPAIRING CHITTAGONG AIRPORT AND OIL REFINERY.

14. CASH CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED FOR LOCAL PURCHASE OF COOKING UTENSILS, FOOD (PUFFED AND PRESSED RICE, MOLASSES, ETC.), CANDLES AND MATCHES.

15. MAIN MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SHELTERS IS ULTRAVIOLET RESISTANT GREEN PLASTIC REINFORCED SHEETINGS WHICH NOT AVAILABLE LOCALLY.

16. UNDRO'S ACCOUNT AGAINST WHICH CASH CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THIS EMERGENCY CAN BE PAID IS:

LLOYD'S BANK
1, PLACE BEL AIR
1211 GENEVA
ACCT.NO. UNOG TRUSTFUND NO 183598-01-10 REF UNDRO, BANGLADESH CYCLONE.

CONTRIBUTIONS

17. DONATIONS IN CASH, KIND AND SERVICES, REPORTED TO UNDRO SINCE SITREP NO. 4 OF 3 MAY 91, WILL BE REGISTERED IN NEXT SITUATION REPORT.

18. FOR COORDINATION PURPOSES, PLEASE INFORM UNDRO IMMEDIATELY AS INDICATED BELOW OF PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS (SPECIFYING VALUE BY ITEM).

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA

UNDRO TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-731.02.11
UNDRO EMERGENCY TEL. NO. (OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS) : +41-22-733.20.10
UNDRO TELEX: 414242 DRO CH
UNDRO FAX: +41-22-733.56.23
UNDRO ELECTRONIC MAIL: UNIENET ID UNX008

UNDRO 91/0765

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO SITUATION REPORT NO. 5
5 MAY 1991

ADDENDUM

PLEASE NOTE ALL COSTINGS IN PARA 10 OF ABOVE SITREP ARE IN USD.

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA

UNDRO 91/0782

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO SITUATION REPORT NO. 6
07 MAY 1991

1. ON 5 MAY UN DISASTER RELIEF CO-ORDINATOR MADE AERIAL SURVEY OF CHITTAGONG AND OTHER CYCLONE AFFECTED AREAS. HE REVIEWED SITUATION WITH PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER AND IS PREPARING, ON BEHALF OF SECRETARY-GENERAL PEREZ DE CUELLAR, A CONSOLIDATED REPORT FOR PRESENTATION TO DONORS. AN INFORMATION MEETING WITH DONORS WILL BE ORGANIZED NEXT WEEK BY UNDRO IN GENEVA.

2. DEATH TOLL CONTINUING TO RISE AS PREVIOUSLY UNACCESSED AREAS BEING REACHED. CONFIRMED OFFICIAL FIGURE: 125,000 DEAD. RELIEF OPERATION STILL SERIOUSLY HAMPERED DUE TO BAD WEATHER AND INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF TRANSPORT MEANS SUCH AS HELICOPTERS AND BOATS.

3. SPECIAL CELL SET UP WITHIN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO MONITOR POST CYCLONE SITUATION. CHIEF CO-ORDINATOR IS AMBASSADOR REAZ RAHMAN. ALSO CONTROL ROOM IN MINISTRY OF RELIEF AND REHABILITATION FUNCTIONING 24/24 HRS PER DAY. TELEPHONE +880 2-861-051/53.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

4. LOCAL UNITED NATIONS DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAM WITH UNDRO/UNDP, UNICEF, WFP AND WHO CO-ORDINATING UN SYSTEM RESPONSE WITH EACH AGENCY ASSUMING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ASSISTING GOVERNMENT. SIMILAR INTER-AGENCY GROUP MEETING IN GENEVA.

5. UNICEF APPEALING FOR USD 5 MILLION TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITHIN AREAS OF SHELTER, HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION. ALREADY UNICEF DISTRIBUTING 2,500 EMERGENCY WATER TREATMENT KITS, AND 56 EMERGENCY KITS CONTAINING DRUGS AND SUPPLIES (EACH KIT ADEQUATE FOR 5,000 PERSONS). FOUR MILLION ORS PACKETS BEING PURCHASED LOCALLY AND PLANE LOAD OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES CONSISTING OF WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS, IV FLUID AND REINFORCED POLYETHENE SHEETS FOR SHELTER LANDED IN DHAKA 5 MAY.

6. WFP ALLOCATED 7,000 TONS WHEAT AND VEGETABLE OIL TO EMERGENCY AND READY TO RELEASE ADDITIONAL 13,000 TONS AS SOON AS SECURE DISTRIBUTION CONFIRMED.

7. LRCS REPORTS THAT FOLLOWING INITIAL CRASH RELIEF ACTIVITIES JOINT BGD RED CRESCENT/LRCS OPERATION WILL TARGET 300,000 PEOPLE OVER 30 DAYS WITH FOOD AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. PROGRAMME INCLUDES ESTABLISHMENT OF 100 RELIEF CENTRES STAFFED BY RC PERSONNEL. LRCS HAS APPEALED FOR CHF. 12 MILLION.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

8. FOLLOWING IS UPDATED LIST OF OUTSTANDING NEEDS:

(X) ITEMS AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES FOR LOCAL PURCHASE FOR WHICH CASH RESOURCES ARE REQUIRED.

9. HEALTH SECTOR ITEMS AS REPORTED IN SITREP NO.5 NEED TO BE PROCURED INTERNATIONALLY.

10. UNDRO'S ACCOUNT AGAINST WHICH CASH CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THIS EMERGENCY CAN BE PAID IS:

LLOYD'S BANK
1, PLACE BEL AIR
1211 GENEVA
ACCT. NO. UNOG TRUSTFUND NO 183598-01-10 REF UNDRO, BANGLADESH CYCLONE.

11. FOLLOWING IS SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS AS REPORTED TO UNDRO SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE OPERATION:

1. FOR CO-ORDINATION PURPOSES, PLEASE INFORM UNDRO IMMEDIATELY AS INDICATED BELOW OF PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS (SPECIFYING VALUE BY ITEM).

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA

UNDRO TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-731.02.11
UNDRO EMERGENCY TEL.NO. (OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS): +41-22-733.20.10

UNDRO TELEX: 414242 DRO CH
UNDRO FAX: +41-22-733.56.23
UNDRO ELECTRONIC MAIL: UNIENET ID UNX008

DPR 310 BGD'91 (1)

UNDRO 91/0808

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO SITUATION REPORT NO. 7
10 MAY 1991

I - GENERAL

1. UNITED NATIONS DISASTER RELIEF CO-ORDINATOR VISITED CYCLONE-AFFECTED AREAS AND REVIEWED SITUATION WITH PRIME MINISTER OF BANGLADESH, AS WELL AS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER, MINISTER FOR RELIEF AND REHABILITATION AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. CO-ORDINATOR THEREAFTER ADDRESSED MEETING BETWEEN DONOR COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ORGANIZED BY MINISTRY OF FINANCE (ECONOMIC RELATIONS DIVISION).

2. CONSOLIDATED LIST OF REQUIREMENTS FOR RELIEF AND REHABILITATION TO A TOTAL VALUE OF 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS WAS SUBMITTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. SUMMARY OF PRIORITY NEEDS IS LISTED BELOW (CHAPTER IV). DETAILS OF ENTIRE PLAN AVAILABLE FROM UNDRO.

3. CO-ORDINATOR WENT TO REPORT TO UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THURSDAY, 9 MAY AND WILL BRIEF DONOR COMMUNITY DURING INFORMATION MEETING CONVENED BY UNDRO AT THE PALAIS DES NATIONS ON TUESDAY, 14 MAY 15.00 HRS. (ROOM XII).

II - SITUATION

4. BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS FOLLOWING THE CYCLONE ARE CONSTRAINING ACCESS TO MANY AREAS, IN PARTICULAR OFF-SHORE ISLANDS SANDWIP AND KUTUBDIA, WHICH IN URGENT NEED OF RELIEF. ON 7 MAY A TORNADO HIT AN AREA 20 KILOMETERS NORTH FROM DHAKA. AT LEAST 16 PERSONS WERE KILLED AND OVER 250 INJURED WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO HOUSES AND OTHER PROPERTIES.

5. REVIEW OF FOOD SITUATION CONTINUES TOGETHER WITH ASSESSMENT OF CROP DAMAGE AND OF OTHER LOSSES IN OVERALL FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR. MEANWHILE, FOOD RELIEF REMAINS HIGH PRIORITY AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS AFFECTED POPULATIONS NEEDS CLOSE MONITORING.

6. THERE IS A VARIETY OF HEALTH RISKS FOR THE SURVIVORS IN THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS. THESE INCLUDE MEASLES, ACUTE DIARRHOEA, DYSENTERY, ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS. 2-3 MILLION PEOPLE ARE ESTIMATED TO BE AT RISK. EMERGENCY DRUG REQUIREMENTS BASED ON GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES FOLLOW IN CHAPTER V.

7. DAMAGE TO HEALTH FACILITIES IS REPORTED TO BE EXTENSIVE. IN THE SHORT TERM, MOST OF THE UNION HEALTH CENTRES THAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WILL HAVE TO BE RECONSTRUCTED AND RE-EQUIPPED.

8. GOVERNMENT DISPATCHED SOME 200 MEDICAL TEAMS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY CYCLONE. THEY OPERATE ALONG SIDE MEDICAL SERVICES OF ARMED FORCES.

9. REHABILITATION OF TUBE-WELLS IS PROCEEDING WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LOCAL TEAMS AND NGOS. AS OF TODAY 2286 WELLS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE RESUMED OPERATIONS.

III - RELIEF OPERATIONS

10. CO-ORDINATION ARRANGEMENTS INSTITUTED BY GOVERNMENT COMPRISE EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE CO-ORDINATION CELL (TEL 38394, 812685, 310219) IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE (ECON. RELATIONS DIVISION), AS WELL AS OPERATIONAL CO-ORDINATION CELL (TEL 241748-49, 402128, 243126 AND 244018) IN MINISTRY OF RELIEF AND REHABILITATION. RELIEF OPERATIONS IN THE FIELD ARE HEADED BY TWO REGIONAL CO-ORDINATORS, ONE IN CHITTAGONG, THE OTHER IN BARISAL. IN THE 17 AFFECTED DISTRICTS, THEY ARE MANAGED BY COMMITTEES HEADED BY DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS AND COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PUBLIC AND NGOS. THE ARMY IS PROVIDING OPERATIONAL ASSISTANCE AS REQUIRED (DISTRIBUTION, AIR DROPPING, ETC).

11. CHITTAGONG PORT IS NOW DECLARED OPEN FOR VESSELS WITH DRAFT UP TO 7 METRES DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS AND IS AGAIN OPERATIONAL FOR HANDLING CARGO.

12. DONORS ARE HEREBY REQUESTED TO REFRAIN FROM SENDING FOREIGN MEDICAL TEAMS (I.E. DOCTORS, AS WELL AS OTHER MEDICAL PERSONNEL) AS SUFFICIENT QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AVAILABLE LOCALLY AND AS GOVERNMENT AT PRESENT NOT IN POSITION TO GUARANTEE ACCOMMODATION, SECURITY AND INTERPRETATION.

13. DONORS ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO ENSURE THAT PACKING LISTS IN ENGLISH ACCOMPANY EACH CONSIGNMENT OF RELIEF GOODS. ABSENCE OF SUCH LISTS (OR LISTS IN OTHER LANGUAGES) ARE CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DELAYS IN PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION.

IV - RELIEF REQUIREMENTS (GENERAL)

14. PRIORITY REQUIREMENTS INDICATED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON BASIS OF PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT:

V - RELIEF REQUIREMENTS (HEALTH)

15. GOVERNMENT HAS IDENTIFIED IMMEDIATE REPEAT IMMEDIATE NEED FOR FOLLOWING DRUGS:

1. NEEDS FOR BASIC MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES ARE AT THIS STAGE:

VI. CONTRIBUTIONS REPORTING

UNDRO IS FACING GREAT DIFFICULTIES IN RECORDING CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THIS EMERGENCY AS DONORS INSUFFICIENTLY SPECIFY THEIR DONATIONS. IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THE EFFICIENCY OF ON-GOING RELIEF OPERATIONS, DONORS ARE AGAIN URGED TO ADHERE TO THE 14-POINT UNDRO FORMAT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS REPORTING AS FOLLOWS:

1. DONOR

2. RECIPIENT COUNTRY AND DISASTER

3. DATE OF DECISION TO CONTRIBUTE

4. DESCRIPTION OF EACH RELIEF ITEM

5. QUANTITY PROVIDED, INCLUDING UNIT OF MEASUREMENT

6. VALUE OF EACH RELIEF ITEM, INCLUDING CURRENCY

7. TRANSPORT OF RELIEF ITEM, IF ANY:
A. TYPE-AIR/LAND/SEA
B. VALUE OF TRANSPORT
- TO RECIPIENT COUNTRY (I.E. EXTERNAL TRANSPORT)
- WITHIN RECIPIENT COUNTRY (I.E. INTERNAL TRANSPORT)

8. CHANNEL (FOR THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH ARE CHANNELLED THROUGH OR VIA INTERMEDIARIES)

9. LOCAL IMPLEMENTING AGENCY (IN DISASTER-STRICKEN COUNTRY)

10. AREA OF DESTINATION OF CONTRIBUTION (IN DIASTER-STRICKEN COUNTRY.

11. PURPOSE OF CONTRIBUTION (IF COUNTRY IS AFFECTED SIMULTANEOUSLY BY MORE THAN ONE DIASTER)

12. EXPECTED ATE AND PLACE OF ARRIVAL OF CONTRIBUTION IN THE DISASTER-STRICKEN COUNTRY

13. BUDGETARY SOURCE OF CONTRIBUTION (MINISTRY, ETC).

14. SPECIFICATION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED AND/OR ASSESSMENT TEAMS DEPLOYED AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SKILLS.

(DONORS UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON EVERY POINT ARE KINDLY ASKED TO GIVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS PRACTICABLE, PREFERABLY USING THE SAME NUMBERS AS IN THE FORMAT ABOVE FOR APPLICABLE ITEMS. INFORMATION ON NUMBERS 1, 2, 4 AND 5 MUST AT LEAST BE PROVIDED).

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA

UNDRO TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-731.02.11
UNDRO EMERGENCY TEL.NO. (OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS): +41-22-733.20.10

UNDRO TELEX: 414242 DRO CH
UNDRO FAX: +41-22-733.56.23
UNDRO ELECTRONIC MAIL: UNIENET ID UNX008

DPR 310 BGD'91 (1)

UNDRO 91/0849

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE
UNDRO SITUATION REPORT NO. 8
18 MAY 1991

SPECIAL EMERGENCY APPEAL OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR BANGLADESH

I. INTRODUCTION

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXTREMELY HEAVY LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CAUSED BY THE CYCLONE AND TIDAL WAVE WHICH STRUCK THE ENTIRE COASTAL BELT OF SOUTHERN BANGLADESH DURING THE NIGHT OF 30 APRIL 1991.

BANGLADESH IS ONE OF THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD, AND ALSO ONE OF THE MOST DISASTER-PRONE. THE FREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF NATURAL DISASTERS, INCLUDING THE UNPRECEDENTED FLOODS OF 1988, CONSTITUTE A SEVERE HANDICAP ON THE ROAD TO DEVELOPMENT AND TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF ITS POPULATION. EACH TIME A DISASTER STRIKES, RELIEF AND REHABILITATION EFFORTS DRAIN LARGE AMOUNTS OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RESOURCES WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.

THE CYCLONE AND THE TIDAL WAVE IT GENERATED, HAVE ALREADY BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE WORST SINCE THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE. WINDS OF OVER 235 KM/HOUR LASHED COASTAL AREAS AND LOW-LYING ISLANDS FROM COX'S BAZAR ALL THE WAY TO PATUAKHALI. A STORM SURGE REACHING HEIGHTS UP TO 6 METERS, SUBMERGED DENSELY-POPULATED AREAS AND DESTROYED VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH. A PROVISIONAL, AND OF NECESSITY INCOMPLETE, GOVERNMENT ASSESSMENT WARNS THAT UP TO TEN MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED TO VARYING DEGREES. THE NUMBER OF DEATHS IS AT PRESENT ESTIMATED AT 140,000, BUT IS UNLIKELY TO BE EVER KNOWN WITH PRECISION. IT IS FURTHER ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION HOUSES AND 6,700 SCHOOLS WERE TOTALLY OR PARTIALLY DAMAGED. MORE THAN 1100 KILOMETERS OF EMBANKMENTS WERE DAMAGED OR WASHED AWAY. ALTHOUGH THE PORT OF CHITTAGONG IS AGAIN OPERATIONAL, IT IS STILL OBSTRUCTED BY NO LESS THAN 14 SUNKEN SHIPS AND IT MAY TAKE UP TO ONE YEAR TO REPAIR THE REGION'S ROADS, RAILWAYS AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS MOUNTED A MASSIVE RELIEF PROGRAMME, BUT RELIEF EFFORTS HAVE BEEN HAMPERED BY CONTINUOUS BAD WEATHER, SOMETIMES PREVENTING AREAS ALREADY INACCESSIBLE BY LAND, BEING REACHED BY BOAT OR HELICOPTER. THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH HAS APPEALED FOR 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS IN FOREIGN AID, OF WHICH 670 MILLION DOLLARS ARE FOR IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY RELIEF AND 740 MILLION DOLLARS FOR REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION.

THE CYCLONE STRUCK TOWARD THE END OF THE CURRENT BORO HARVEST SEASON AND DAMAGED STANDING CROPS. AS REGARDS FOOD AID, THE FULL REQUIREMENTS CAN ONLY BE KNOWN IN EARLY JUNE ON COMPLETION OF A JOINT FAO/WFP ASSESSMENT OF THE CROP DAMAGE AND THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION NEEDS. MEANWHILE, A RELIEF PROGRAMME IS BEING IMPLEMENTED TO FEED TWO MILLION CYCLONE VICTIMS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, USING FOOD AID ALREADY PROVIDED BY DONORS.

THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS DISASTER RELIEF CO-ORDINATOR (UNDRO), WHO VISITED THE DEVASTATED AREAS ON HIS BEHALF, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALED ON 1 MAY 1991 TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. SUBSEQUENT UNDRO SITUATION REPORTS HAVE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF NEEDS AND INDICATED WHAT WAS AVAILABLE LOCALLY. THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN DHAKA CONVENED THE UN DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAM AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVING ON-GOING OPERATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN BANGLADESH, SUCH AS UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, FAO AND WHO IMMEDIATELY STARTED PROVIDING EMERGENCY RELIEF IN THEIR AREA OF COMPETENCE. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS A LARGE NUMBER OF DONORS, HAVE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE EITHER DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT OR THROUGH OTHER CHANNELS. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THIS ASSISTANCE IS, AS OF 15 MAY, ESTIMATED TO HAVE REACHED 250 MILLION DOLLARS.

DESPITE THE IMPORTANCE AND MAGNITUDE OF SUCH SUPPORT, IN PARTICULAR THE PROVISION OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND ITS OPERATING PERSONNEL, SECONDED BY FRIENDLY NATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH WILL CONTINUE TO NEED LARGE-SCALE ASSISTANCE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IS THEREFORE LAUNCHING THIS SPECIAL APPEAL, IN ORDER TO MUSTER THE NECESSARY RESOURCES WHICH THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM NOW NEEDS, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH IMMEDIATE SUPPORT.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS ASKED THE UNITED NATIONS DISASTER RELIEF CO-ORDINATOR IMMEDIATELY TO ESTABLISH AN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE, COMPOSED OF CONCERNED ORGANIZATIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND CHAIRED BY THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR (UNDP/UNDRO RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE), TO START WORK THIS WEEK IN DHAKA IN ORDER TO FORMULATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT A CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON MEDIUM TO LONG-TERM REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION. THIS REPORT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AT A MEETING TO BE HELD IN JULY IN GENEVA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE FORTHCOMING SESSION OF ECOSOC.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE MORE IMMEDIATE FOCUS OF THE PRESENT SPECIAL APPEAL, WHICH IS DISTINCT FROM THE REPORT JUST MENTIONED ABOVE, RELATES TO PRIORITY EMERGENCY RELIEF TO BE PROVIDED IN A CO-ORDINATED AND CONCERTED MANNER BY THE UNITED NATIONS DURING THE NEXT THREE MONTHS. IT LISTS SECTORAL REQUIREMENTS, TO A TOTAL ESTIMATED VALUE OF USD 168 MILLION. THEY HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE CONCERNED ORGANIZATIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE OVERALL PROVISIONAL ASSESSMENT UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH. OVERALL CO-ORDINATION OF THE RESPONSE TO THE APPEAL WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE UNITED NATIONS DISASTER RELIEF CO-ORDINATOR.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES THAT THIS APPEAL WILL GENERATE A MOST GENEROUS RESPONSE AS THE INTENSE HUMAN SUFFERING OF MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS IN BANGLADESH MUST BE ALLEVIATED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

SECTORAL INPUTS

I. SUPPORT TO CO-ORDINATING MECHANISMS

THE LOCAL UN DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAM CHAIRED BY THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IS CONTINUING TO MEET REGULARLY IN ORDER TO COORDINATE THE UN SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO THE DISASTER AND ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS RELIEF EFFORTS. THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR HAS ALSO CONVENED MEETINGS WITH AMBASSADORS OF DONOR GOVERNMENTS. THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE THE BASIS FOR COORDINATING THE IMMEDIATE RELIEF RESPONSE.

THE INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE, CHAIRED BY THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR, WHICH WILL FORMULATE PROPOSALS FOR LONGER-TERM REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION, IS BEING ASSISTED BY A UNDP-FUNDED MISSION CURRENTLY IN BANGLADESH. THIS MISSION IS IDENTIFYING PRIORITIES FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AND POST-EMERGENCY REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDING IMPROVED COORDINATION, EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS, CYCLONE PROTECTION, PREPAREDNESS AND RELIEF AS WELL AS A COASTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME COVERING PROTECTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, LAND USE, IRRIGATION, FISHERIES, FINANCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.

TO STRENGTHEN THE GOVERNMENT'S OPERATIONAL AND CO-ORDINATION FUNCTIONS, UNDP/UNDRO ARE APPEALING FOR A SMALL AMOUNT FOR COMMUNICATIONS, SHORT-TERM CONSULTANTS, CONTRIBUTIONS RECORDING AND REPORTING MECHANISMS,PREPARATION AND FORMULATION OF LONGER-TERM DISASTER MITIGATION POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES - USDLRS 250,000

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

UNDRO/GENEVA FAX 41.22.733.56.23 OR TEL. 41.22.734.60.11

OR UNDP/UNDRO RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE DHAKA TELEX 642582 UNDP BJ

II. INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOGISTICS

AS MANY OF THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY ALSO FALL UNDER MID- TO LONGER-TERM REHABILITATION, PLEASE CONTACT UNDP/UNDRO RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE DHAKA, TELEX 642582 BJ, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

III. HEALTH, WATER, SANITATION, AND EDUCATION

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, UNICEF WILL CONCENTRATE AN IMPORTANT PART OF ITS RELIEF EFFORT ON RESTORING INDISPENSABLE ACCESS OF AFFECTED PEOPLE TO DRINKABLE WATER AND PROPER SANITATION. THE MOST VULNERABLE - WOMEN AND CHILDREN - ARE ALWAYS THOSE WHO SUFFER MOST FROM THE HEALTH HAZARDS CREATED BY POLLUTED WATERS. AS MANY OF THOSE WHO HAVE ESCAPED THE CYCLONE AND FLOODS ARE NOW AT RISK OF DISEASE, UNICEF WILL CONTINUE AND INTENSIFY WHAT IT STARTED ON THE VERY DAY AFTER THE DISASTER, NAMELY I) PROVISION OF ESSENTIAL DRUGS, ORS, WATER PURIFICATION SUPPLIES, SHELTER MATERIALS, II) REPAIR OF DAMAGED TUBEWELLS OR SINKING OF NEW ONES, III) EXTENDED PROVISION OF HANDPUMPS, IV) REPAIR OF VILLAGE SANITATION CENTERS, V) ASSISTANCE TOWARDS REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED LATRINES AND SANITATION INFRASTRUCTURES.

TO THIS EFFECT, UNICEF INDICATED ON 3 MAY FIRST REQUIREMENTS FOR A TOTAL OF USD 5 MILLION. THIS IS NOW FOLLOWED BY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AS DETAILED BELOW. BOTH REQUEST FOR FUNDS HAVE BEEN FORMULATED IN FULL CO-OPERATION WITH WHO.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF USD 5 MILLION WERE REQUESTED BY UNICEF'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO MEET THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY REQUIREMENTS

THE FOLLOWING IS NOW URGENTLY REQUESTED IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT UNICEF EMERGENCY PROGRAMMES

NEW YORK
FAX 001.212.3267037
TEL. 001.212.3267222

GENEVA
FAX 41.22.7910822
TEL. 41.22.7910820

IV. AGRICULTURE

THE ESTIMATES PROVIDED BELOW ARE BASED ON A RAPID ASSESSMENT CARRIED OUT BY A UN INTER-AGENCY WORKING GROUP, SUPPORTED BY AN FAO EMERGENCY TEAM, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH. ALL AVAILABLE FIGURES ON CYCLONE DAMAGE AND THE IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS RESULTING THEREFROM ARE TENTATIVE AND SOME OF THE DATA ARE STILL INCOMPLETE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED AS SOON AS AVAILABLE.

CROP SITUATION FOLLOWING DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE CYCLONE

THE PROSPECTS FOR THE 'BORO' RICE CROP, NOW BEING HARVESTED, HAVE DETERIORATED FOLLOWING HEAVY RAINFALL IN NORTHERN AREAS IN EARLY APRIL AND THE SEVERE CYCLONE THAT HIT THE SOUTH AND SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICTS ON 29-30 APRIL 1991. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO STANDING 'BORO' CROP HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM THE CYCLONE-AFFECTED AREAS.

PRIOR TO THE CYCLONE, THE 'BORO' CROP WAS PROVISIONALLY FORECAST TO EXCEED THE TARGET OF 6.8 MILLION TONS (MILLED RICE) REFLECTING INCREASED PLANTINGS AND GENERALLY FAVOURABLE GROWING CONDITIONS. PENDING THE RESULTS OF FIELD ASSESSMENTS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY, THE LOSSES TO 'BORO' CROP ARE PROVISIONALLY ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 200,000 TONS, WHICH WILL BE REFINED WHEN FULL DATA BECOME AVAILABLE. HENCE FINAL OUTPUT OF THE 'BORO' CROP IS STILL LIKELY TO BE SATISFACTORY. SOME LOCALIZED DAMAGE TO THE RECENTLY PLANTED 1991/92 'AUS' CROP IS ALSO ANTICIPATED. REPLANTING IS HOWEVER STILL POSSIBLE IN PARTS OF THE AFFECTED AREAS, PROVIDED ADEQUATE SUPPLIES OF AGRICULTURAL INPUTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE EFFECT OF THE CYCLONE ON THE MAIN 'AMAN' CROP, TO BE PLANTED FROM JUNE ONWARDS, IS LIKELY TO BE MINIMAL.

AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS REQUIRED

CROP PRODUCTION

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE NET AREA DAMAGED BY WATER (TIDAL SURGES) IS APPROXIMATELY 200,000 ACRES. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS ARE IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED TO COMMENCE PLANTING AS SOON AS WATERS RECEDE: FOR THE CURRENT AUS AND THE FORTHCOMING AMAN SEASON, 5,000 SINGLE-AXLE TRACTORS, 2,000 POWER PUMPS, 300 SHALLOW TUBE-WELLS, AND AS YET UNSPECIFIED QUANTITIES OF HAND-TOOLS AND PLOUGHS, SEEDS FOR MAIZE/CHILLIES/VEGETABLES AND FERTILIZERS. THE TOTAL COST IS ESTIMATED AT THE EQUIVALENT OF USD 25 MILLION.

LIVESTOCK

SOME 200,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE LOST ALL THEIR DOMESTIC ANIMALS. TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO PROVIDE POULTRY AND DUCKS, VETERINARY MEDICINES, GOAT POX VACCINE, FODDER SEED AND SEEDLINGS - AS WELL AS ANIMAL FEED. THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES THE TOTAL COST OF THE ABOVE MATERIALS AT USD 7.2 MILLION.

FISHERIES

THE FISHERY SECTOR HAS BEEN DEVASTATED IN BOTH HUMAN AND MATERIAL TERMS. DAMAGE TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS ESTIMATED AT USD 8.0 MILLION AND IMMEDIATE NEEDS AT USD 2.0 MILLION. DAMAGE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS ESTIMATED AT USD 190 MILLION AND REQUIREMENTS AT USD 70 MILLION. THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING MEASURES FOR THE MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM REHABILITATION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS. MOST VULNERABLE ARE THE ARTISANAL FISHERMEN WHO, ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES, LOST AT LEAST 8,000 SAILING BOATS AND ALL THEIR FISHING GEAR. THEIR IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS ARE ESTIMATED AT USD 16 MILLION.

FORESTRY

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND ESTIMATE OF REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING PREPARED.

SUB-TOTAL: 48,200,000

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT FAO/OSRO ROME:

FAX 0039.6.5797.3152
TEL. 0039.6.5797.4937

V. FOOD AID NEEDS

AS OF END-APRIL 1991, CEREAL STOCKS WERE ESTIMATED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT 773,000 TONS. THESE STOCKS WERE 8 PERCENT BELOW THOSE OF THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR AND ALSO BELOW AVERAGE. IMMEDIATE RELIEF NEEDS CAN BE COVERED FROM THESE STOCKS, BUT ADDITIONAL IMPORTS OVER AND ABOVE THE 1.7 MILLION TONS ALREADY PLANNED FOR 1990/91 (JULY/JUNE) MAY NEED TO BE CONSIDERED TO MAKE UP THE LOSSES CAUSED BY THE CYCLONE AND TO REPLENISH STOCKS TO MORE ADEQUATE LEVELS. A JOINT FAO/WFP ASSESSMENT OF CROP DAMAGE AND FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION NEEDS IS BEING MOUNTED. THE FULL EMERGENCY FOOD AID REQUIREMENTS WILL BE KNOWN ONCE THIS ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETED IN EARLY JUNE. A CLOSE WATCH IS BEING MAINTAINED ON THE FOOD STOCKS IN THE PUBLIC FOODGRAIN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH. IF STOCK LEVELS ARE SERIOUSLY REDUCED AS A RESULT OF RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY NEEDS, THE POSSIBILITY OF THE EARLY INJECTION OF FOOD AID WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED. MEANWHILE, A RELIEF PROGRAMME IS BEING IMPLEMENTED TO FEED TWO MILLION CYCLONE VICTIMS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, USING FOOD AID ALREADY PLEDGED BY AUSTRAILIA, CANADA, EEC AND FROM WFP ONGOING PROJECTS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

WFP DISASTER RELIEF SERVICE, ROME
TEL: 0039.6.5797.6667
FAX: 0039.6.5797.5652

FAO GLOBAL INFORMATION AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM, ROME
TEL: 0039.6.5797.3737
FAX: 0039.6.5797.4495

VI. HEALTH

THE BANGLADESH HEALTH SYSTEM REACTED VERY PROMPTLY TO THE EMERGENCY BY DISPATCHING 656 HEALTH TEAMS AND MORE THAN 12 TRUCK LOADS OF DRUGS TO THE AFFECTED AREA. ON 3 MAY, A JOINT WHO/MOH TASK FORCE WAS ESTABLISHED IN DHAKA IN ORDER TO CO-ORDINATE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION TO THE EXTENSIVE EXPERTISE MADE AVAILABLE LOCALLY, WHO DISPATCHED MEDICINES AND WATER AND SANITATION SUPPLIES TO DHAKA AND APPEALED ON 5 MAY THROUGH UNDRO FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO AN AMOUNT OF 2.8 MILLION FOR A TARGET POPULATION OF 650,000.

ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS:

A JOINT WHO AND DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HEALTH SERVICES (BANGLADESH) TEAM VISITED CHITTAGONG AND COX'S BAZAR DISTRICTS FROM 5 TO 10 MAY 1991 TO ASSESS HEALTH DAMAGE. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A WHO/HQ MISSION JOINTLY WITH THE WHO COLLABORATING CENTRE IN ROME TO FURTHER ASSESS EMERGENCY HEALTH NEEDS AND INITIATE STEPS TO IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMME.

DAMAGE TO HEALTH FACILITIES, TO DRUG STOCKS, MEDICAL AND SURGICAL EQUIPMENT, IS EXPECTED TO BE EXTENSIVE. SURVEYS MADE BY THE WHO/GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH TEAMS ESTABLISHED THAT 655 HEALTH INSTITUTIONS WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED, AS FOLLOWS:

DISTRICT HOSPITALS: 5
SUB-DISTRICT HEALTH COMPLEXES: 68
UNION HEALTH CENTRES: 191
UNION AND FAMILY WELFARE CENTRES: 391

HEALTH RISKS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS:

UNLIKE FLOODS, CYCLONES CAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF SERIOUS INJURIES. AS A RESULT OF THE DISRUPTION OF WATER SUPPLIES AND SANITATION, DIARRHOEAL DISEASES AND DYSENTERIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM. SOME DISTRICTS HIT BY THE CYCLONE WERE ALSO IN THE GRIP OF INFECTIOUS HEPATITIS, TYPHOID FEVER, SKIN DISEASES AND EYE DISEASES.

WITH NO SHELTER AND MINIMAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND CHILLY WEATHER, UPPER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTIONS ARE PREDICTED PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN AND OLD-AGE GROUPS. MEASLES OUTBREAKS AMONG CHILDREN ARE ALSO EXPECTED.

THE AFFECTED AREA, MAINLY THE EASTERN COX'S BAZAR REGION, FALLS IN AN HIGHLY ENDEMIC MALARIA BELT. THUS THERE IS A RISK FOR THE SPREAD OF A MALARIA EPIDEMIC OF THE MALIGNANT TYPE WITH ITS FATAL COMPLICATION OF CEREBRAL MALARIA.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH'S PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF EMERGENCY HEALTH NEEDS AMOUNTS TO USD 154 MILLION. A FIRST-PHASE IMMEDIATE PROGRAMME , ENDORSED BY WHO FOR A TARGET POPULATION OF 3 MILLION, AND FORMULATED IN CO-ORDINATION WITH UNICEF, IS AS FOLLOWS:

FOR DETAILS ON ESSENTIAL DRUGS, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, PLEASE REFER TO UNDRO SITREPS 4 (PARA.16), 5 (PARA.10) AND 7 (PARA.11).

FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATIONAL DETAILS CONTACT

WHO/ERO (GENEVA)
FAX: 44.22.788.2036
TEL. 44.22.791.2777

GRAND TOTAL OF APPEAL: 167,950,000

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA 414242 DRO CH

UNDRO TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-731.02.11 UNDRO EMERGENCY TEL.NO.
(OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS) : +41-22-733.20.10

UNDRO DESK OFFICER: OLA ALMGREN, EXT. 3279 PRESS TO CONTACT
UNDRO SPOKESPERSON: M. KHATIB, EXT: 2856

UNDRO TELEX: 414242 DRO CH UNDRO FAX: +41-22-733.56.23 UNDRO
ELECTRONIC MAIL: UNIENET ID UNX008

UNDRO 91/0896

BANGLADESH CYCLONE
SITUATION REPORT NO. 9
24 MAY 1991

SITUATION

1. ON 18 MAY SECRETARY-GENERAL LAUNCHED SPECIAL EMERGENCY APPEAL VALUED AT 167,950,000 USD FOR THREE MONTHS UN RELIEF ASSISTANCE TOWARDS SECTORS OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOGISTICS, HEALTH, WATER, SANITATION, EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE. (FOR TEXT OF APPEAL SEE UNDRO SITREP NO.8)

2. SITUATION IS GRADUALLY IMPROVING IN AFFECTED AREAS. THANKS TO EXTENSIVE RELIEF COVERAGE BY GOVERNMENT AND NGOS AS WELL AS RECENTLY MOUNTED MASSIVE AIRLIFT AND DISTRIBUTION BY JOINT BANGLADESH/US TASK FORCE, LIVING CONDITIONS ARE BEING AMELIORATED. PEOPLE ARE REPAIRING HOMES AND ORGANIZING THEMSELVES WITH WHATEVER IS POSSIBLE TO RETRIEVE FROM BATTERED AREAS, ALTHOUGH SHORTAGE OF SHELTER MATERIAL HAMPERING THIS PROCESS. SHOPS AND OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES BEING SLOWLY RECONSTRUCTED IN MANY PARTS AND MARKETS ARE NOW OPERATING IN MOST AREAS.

3. LATEST DAMAGE ASSESSMENT BY MINISTRY OF RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ISSUED ON 21 MAY REPORTED 75 UPAZILAS AFFECTED, 138,866 PEOPLE DIED AND 138,866 WERE INJURED. 118,000 ACRES OF CROPS WERE ESTIMATED DESTROYED AND OVER 791,000 DAMAGED. DAMAGE TO HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDES 790,000 HOMES COMPLETELY DESTROYED, 9,300 SCHOOLS DESTROYED OR DAMAGED, ABOUT 500 KM OF ROADS AND 496 BRIDGES DAMAGED.

4. WATER - SITUATION HAS IMPROVED FOLLOWING REPAIR AND REHABILITATION OF MORE TUBE-WELLS AND BY USING WATER PURIFYING MACHINES. AS OF 21 MAY, 80 PERCENT OF TUBE-WELLS IN AFFECTED AREAS REPORTED FUNCTIONING AND WITH WATER CONTAINERS AVAILABLE ON LOCAL MARKET AS WELL AS WIDELY DISTRIBUTED, SUFFICIENT DRINKING WATER NOW ACCESSIBLE. WATER FOR BATHING AND CLEANING STILL INSUFFICIENT DUE TO SALINIZATION OF PONDS ETC, THUS CONTRIBUTING TO POOR HYGIENE.

5. HEALTH - GOVERNMENT REPORTS INDICATE THAT 50-60 PERCENT OF LOCAL HEALTH CENTRES HAVE BEEN SEVERELY DAMAGED. BEFORE THE CYCLONE, SOME OF THE AFFECTED AREAS HAD LOCAL EPIDEMIC OUTBREAKS OF DIARRHOEA. AS A RESULT, THERE IS NOW ENHANCED RISK OF OUTBREAKS OF DIARRHOEA IN ADDITION TO DYSENTERY, ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AND POSSIBLE OUTBREAKS OF MEASLES, DIPHTHERIA, PERTUSSIS, POLIO AND MALARIA. WHO HAS ALERTED MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO PREVENT OCCURRENCE OF THESE EPIDEMICS.

6. MEDICAL TEAMS WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK TO CHECK POSSIBLE SPREADING OF DIARRHOEA IN CYCLONE-HIT AREAS. MORE THAN 170,000 PEOPLE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED SINCE 30 APRIL WITH OVER 1,200 DEATHS AS OF 18 MAY.

7. MINISTRY OF HEALTH REPORTS SUFFICIENT HUMAN RESOURCES IN HEALTH SECTOR NOW AVAILABLE.

8. FOOD - IS NOW REACHING CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION POINTS, BUT DISTRIBUTION TO PERIPHERAL VILLAGES STILL PROBLEMATIC.

9. AS CYCLONE COMPLETELY WASHED AWAY EMBANKMENTS IN COASTAL AREAS AND ON OFF-SHORE ISLANDS, RECURRENT INUNDATIONS OF LOW-LYING AREAS BY SEAWATER DURING HIGH TIDE REMAIN PROBLEM AREA.

10. INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ARE NOW PARTLY RESTORED WITH TELEX AND TELEGRAM SERVICES OPERATIONAL AS WELL AS TELEPHONE AND FASCIMILE.

RELIEF ACTIVITIES

11. LOCAL CO-ORDINATION CELLS SET UP WITH BANGLADESH ARMY, US TASK FORCE, ZONAL CO-ORDINATORS, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND NGOS HAVE STARTED FUNCTIONING SINCE SATURDAY 18 MAY, REDUCING POSSIBLE OVERLAPPING OF RELIEF OPERATIONS AND ENSURING BETTER DISTRIBUTION.

12. A SERIES OF DONOR MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD UNDER CHAIRMANSHIP OF UNDP/UNDRO RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE, THE SIXTH ONE HELD ON 21 MAY, TO SHARE INFORMATION AND CO-ORDINATE RELIEF EFFORTS.

13. ON BEHALF OF UN SECRETARY-GENERAL, DISASTER RELIEF CO-ORDINATOR HAS ESTABLISHED INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE IN DHAKA COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL RELEVANT AGENCIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM TO PREPARE CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON SHORT AND MEDIUM-TERM NEEDS TO DONOR COMMUNITY DURING THE ECOSOC SESSION IN JULY 1991 IN GENEVA.

14. UNDP ADMINISTRATOR APPROVED FURTHER SPECIAL PROGRAMME RESOURCES ALLOCATION OF 1.1 MILLION USD FOR FUTURE PROJECTS TO ASSIST GOVERNMENT IN ORGANIZING POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION, AND IMPROVING ITS ABILITY TO COPE WITH FUTURE NATURAL DISASTERS.

15. WFP RELIEF PROGRAMME COVERING TOTAL OF OVER TWO MILLION PERSONS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, REPRESENTING 25 PERCENT OF POPULATION FROM WORST HIT AREAS AND 10 PERCENT FROM OTHER AFFECTED AREAS, IS NOW OPERATIONAL.

16. WHO ORGANIZED A TASK FORCE IN DHAKA, IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST BY GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH, TO ASSIST AUTHORITIES IN CO-ORDINATING HEALTH ASSISTANCE. JOINT GOVERNMENT/WHO TEAM VISITED AFFECTED AREAS DUE TO ANTICIPATED OUTBREAKS OF DIARRHOEA, ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND MALARIA.

17. UNICEF HAS REPAIRED 8,000 TUBE-WELLS IN ADDITION TO INSTALLING 800 NEW ONES.

18. RELIEF EFFORTS CONSIDERABLY STRENGTHENED BY JOINT BANGLADESH/US TASK FORCE PRESENTLY FULLY OPERATIONAL AND COVERING BOTH CYCLONE AND FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS. AS OF 21 MAY THIS OPERATION MOVED TOTAL OF 642,2 MT RELIEF SUPPLIES BY AIRPLANE, 677,5 MT BY HELICOPTER AND OVER 500 MT OVER WATER INCLUDING FOOD, WATER, CLOTHES, MEDICINES AND BUILDING MATERIALS.

19. BRITISH SHIP WITH NAVY PERSONNEL AND SPECIAL BOAT SQUADRON AS WELL AS A RELIEF TEAM FROM INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC RELIEF ORGANIZATION HAVE JOINED TASK FORCE IN RELIEF OPERATION. JAPENESE DISASTER TEAM WITH TWO HELICOPTERS HAS ALSO STARTED OPERATING IN OFF-SHORE ISLANDS.

20. LRCS EMERGENCY PROGRAMME BEING INTENSIFIED TO REACH OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING FOOD AND SYSTEMATIC MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO 300,000 SEVERLY AFFECTED PEOPLE. NUMEROUS NGOS ARE WORKING IN AFFECTED AREA, DISTRIBUTING RELIEF GOODS.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

21. HIGHEST PRIORITY STILL BEING IMMEDIATE SURVIVAL ITEMS SUCH AS FOOD, PLASTIC SHEETING FOR SHELTER, TENTS, ORS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, ETC, MANY OF THESE ITEMS AVAILABLE LOCALLY AS REPORTED IN PREVIOUS SITREPS.

22. FOR OUTSTANDING RELIEF REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONTRIBUTED BY UN SYSTEM, KINDLY REFER TO SEC-GEN EMERGENCY APPEAL OF 18 MAY, DISTRIBUTED IN UNDRO SITREP NO. 8 SAME DATE.

CONTRIBUTIONS

23. BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS AS OF 26 MAY, AS REPORTED TO UNDRO, BY DONOR CATEGORY. DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE WITH UNDRO.

1. FOR CO-ORDINATION PURPOSES, PLEASE INFORM UNDRO IMMEDIATELY AS INDICATED BELOW OF PLEDGES,/CONTRIBUTIONS (SPECIFYING VALUE BY ITEM).

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA

UNDRO TELEPHONE NO: +41 22-731-02-11
UNDRO EMERGENCY TEL.NO. (OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS): +41 22-733-20-10

UNDRO DESK OFFICER: MR. O. ALMGREN, EXT. 3279
PRESS TO CONTACT UNDRO SPOKESPERSON: MR. M. KHATIB, EXT. 2856

UNDRO TELEX: 414242 DRO CH
UNDRO FAX: +41 22-733-56-23
UNDRO ELECTRONIC MAIL: UNIENET ID UNX008

DPR 310 BGD'91 (1)'

UNDRO 91/0962

BANGLADESH CYCLONE
SITUATION REPORT NO. 10
6 JUNE 1991

1. WHILE DURING LAST WEEK'S WORLD BANK ANNUAL CONSULTATIVE GROUP MEETING, DONORS PLEDGED 2,3 BILLION USD IN RESPONSE TO 1991/92 DEVELOPMENT AID REQUIREMENTS PRESENTED BY BGD GOVERNMENT. DONOR REACTION TO UNATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR 167,950,000 USD (SEE UNDRO SITREP NO.8 OF 18 MAY), HAS SO FAR BEEN POOR. THIS IS FORCING AGENCIES TO USE RESERVE AND/OR REGULAR FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT IMMEDIATELY NEEDED RELIEF PROJECTS, AT THE EXPENSE OF REGULAR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

SITUATION

2. POPULATION HAVING SURVIVED LAST CYCLONE NOW IN RECOVERY PROCESS. HOWEVER, YET ANOTHER CYCLONE WITH WINDSPEEDS OF 120 KM PER HOUR AND CARRYING STORM SURGE OF 6 TO 10 FEET, HIT COASTAL AREA EARLY MORNING 2 JUNE. SOME AREAS PREVIOUSLY AFFECTED WERE STRUCK AGAIN, NOTABLY HATIA, MONPURA AND SANDWIP ISLANDS. NO CASUALTIES REPORTED, REFLECTING LESSER MAGNITUDE THIS CYCLONE AND EFFECTIVENESS WARNING/PREPAREDNESS MEASURES TAKEN BY BGD AUTHORITIES. HOWEVER, DAMAGE REPORTED TO EMBANKMENTS, HOUSING AND SHELTER AND MOST SERIOUSLY TO PADDY FIELDS INUNDATED BY SEAWATER WHICH REMAINED SUBMERGED LONG PERIOD THUS ADVERSELY AFFECTING NEXT HARVEST.

3. IN PREVIOUSLY AFFECTED AREAS, FEW MEANS OF INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES AS YET AVAILABLE FOR MAJORITY OF POPULATION. NEEDS INCLUDE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE FOR DAILY SURVIVAL OVER A PERIOD OF AT LEAST 3 MONTHS UP TO NEXT HARVEST. HELP IS ALSO NEEDED TO START CULTIVATION OF NEXT CROP AND RESUME FISHING ACTIVITIES. (FOR DETAILS SEE PARA.16)

4. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVING WITH OVER 90 PER CENT OF TUBE-WELLS FUNCTIONING, TRANSPORT SERVICES BETWEEN DHAKA AND CHITTAGONG RESTORED, TELECOMS TO AFFECTED AREA PARTLY IN SERVICE, POWER LINES BEING REPAIRED, AND FERRY SERVICES AGAIN OPERATING FROM CHITTAGONG TO KUTUBDIA, HATIYA AND SANDWIP.

5. RELIEF DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURE IS NOW SUFFICENT TO ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED OPERATIONS AFTER WITHDRAWAL OF MAIN PART OF US TASK FORCE BY END MAY.

6. JOINT FAO/WFP EVALUATION COMPLETED ON 4 JUNE DESCRIBES DAMAGE TO FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AS FOLLOWS:

- CROPS: TOTAL LOSS OF CEREAL CROPS CAUSED BY THE CYCLONE IS 247,000 TONS, WITH LOSSES TO VEGETABLES, TUBERS AND OTHER CROPS OF 35,000 TONS. ALTHOUGH LOSSES TO RICE CROPS IN CYCLONE-AFFECTED AREAS WERE SUBSTANTIAL, THEY REPRESENT ONLY ABOUT 1 PERCENT OF TOTAL NATIONAL RICE PRODUCTION.

- LIVESTOCK: MASSIVE LOSSES POSE CRITICAL CONSTRAINT IN CULTIVATION OF CROPS AS CATTLE ARE ALMOST ONLY SOURCE OF DRAUGHT POWER FOR LAND PREPARATION. OFFICIAL ESTIMATES INDICATE THAT 224,000 HEADS OF CATTLE, 218,000 GOATS AND SHEEP AND 2.4 MILLION HEADS OF POULTRY HAVE BEEN LOST. ALSO CATTLE FEED, MAINLY RICE STRAW, HAS BEEN WASHED AWAY OR SPOILED BY TIDAL SURGE CAUSING ACUTE SHORTAGE.

- FISHERIES: ESTIMATES INDICATE INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE ON 31,000 HECTARES OF SHRIMP FARMS AND AT FISH PROCESSING PLANTS. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO PRIVATE FISHING INFRASTRUCTURE, VESSELS, STOCKS AND FACILITIES HAS BEEN SUSTAINED.

- FOOD SUPPLY: DESPITE VELOCITY OF CYCLONE AND ASSOCIATED TIDAL SURGE AND FLOODING AT CHITTAGONG PORT, DAMAGE TO STORAGE STRUCTURES AND STORED FOOD IS RELATIVELY SMALL. THIS ATTRIBUTED PARTLY TO APPROPRIATE SITING AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS OF FACILITIES AND TIMELY ACTION BY AUTHORITIES TO REMOVE, DRY AND SALVAGE INUNDATED STOCKS. TOTAL LOSSES IN PUBLIC FOODGRAINS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (PFDS) ARE NOT EXPECTED TO EXCEED 2,900 METRIC TONS OF WHEAT, 570 METRIC TONS OF RICE, PLUS SOME QUANTITIES OF SALT, SUGAR, EDIBLE OIL AND GUNNY BAGS.

7. FQR FOOD SECTOR, MISSION CONSIDERED IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY RELIEF NEEDS BEING ADEQUATELY COVERED BY ONGOING EMERGENCY PROGRAMME.

RELIEF ACTIVITIES

8. ON GOVERNMENT SIDE, ECONOMIC RELATIONS DIVISION OF MINISTRY OF FINANCE (ERD) HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH OVERALL CO-ORDINATION OF RELIEF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVING BILATERAL DONORS, UN AGENCIES AND NGOS. ERD'S CENTRAL FUNCTION IS REINFORCED BY EXTENSIVE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL LINKS ESTABLISHED CENTRALLY IN DHAKA AS WELL AS SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS MADE AT DISTRICT LEVEL.

9. WHO IS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NATIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES AND MOBILIZED FUNDS TO SEND MOST URGENTLY NEEDED SUPPLIES. SO FAR FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO HEALTH CENTRES AT UPAZILLA LEVEL.

- 16 WHO EMERGENCY HEALTH KITS FOR CARE OF 480,000 PEOPLE OVER ONE MONTH,
- ANTI SNAKE SERUM,
- HALAGONE TABLETS AND RAW MATERIAL FOR LOCAL PRODUCTION OF HALAGONE,
- ESSENTIAL ANTIMALARIA DRUGS,
- OTHER ESSENTIAL DRUGS.

10. USD 50,000 HAS BEEN USED LOCALLY FOR WATER AND SANITATION NEEDS AND INTENSIFICATION OF HEALTH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. TOTAL AMOUNT SO FAR ALLOCATED FOR RELIEF ACTIVITIES USD 650,000. AS OF DATE, WHO HAS RECEIVED PLEDGES FOR USD 473,000 AGAINST HEALTH PART OF SEC-GEN APPEAL AMOUNTING TO USD 12,000,000.

11. UNICEF RESPONDING IN AREA OF HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION BY PRIMARILY ACCELERATING DELIVERY OF REGULAR PROGRAMMES AND TO ASSIST GOVERNMENT IN ENSURING MORE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION. TO DATE, RELIEF OPERATIONS COSTING 2,523,000 USD HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED, OUT OF WHICH 1,523,000 USD TAKEN FROM COUNTRY PROGRAMME FUNDS AND SUPPLIES PROCURED FOR NORMAL IMPLEMENTATION IN ANTICIPATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS EMERGENCY APPEAL. SO FAR UNICEF RECEIVED 1.4 MILLION USD AGAINST EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR 30 MILLION USD.

12. IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT REHABILITATION PROPOSALS, FAO APPROVED THREE EMERGENCY PROJECTS FOR IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION IN FIELDS OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND LIVESTOCK WITH A BUDGET OF APPROX USD 800,000.

13. AN IMMEDIATE FOOD FOR WORK PROGRAMME OF EMERGENCY REHABILITATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WFP GIVING PRIORITY TO REPAIR OF MOST ESSENTIAL COASTAL EMBANKMENTS IN ORDER TO PROTECT 'AMAN' CROP FROM SALINE WATER INTRUSION AS WELL AS RESTORING SOME POLDERS PROTECTING SHRIMP PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES.

RELIEF REQUIREMENTS

14. GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH EXPRESSED WISH FOR ALL FURTHER RELIEF SUPPLIES TO BE PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH REHABILITATION ACTIVITY.

15. DONORS ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO WFP NEED FOR CASH CONTRIBUTIONS, TO ENABLE TRANSPORT OF IN-KIND DONATED FOOD.

16. IN ADDITION TO SHELTER MATERIAL, CLOTHING AND HEALTH CARE FOR 3 MONTHS UP TO NEXT HARVEST, PRIORITY NEEDS IN INTERMEDIARY TERM INCLUDE AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND SEEDS, FISHING NETS AND REPAIR OF FISHING BOATS, REPAIR OF EMBANKMENTS AND DESALINATE FARMLAND AND PONDS OF WHICH FOLLOWING ARE OF URGENT NATURE:

- REPAIR AND RAISING HEIGHT OF EMBANKMENTS IN AFFECTED ISLANDS AND COASTAL AREAS, PARTICULARLY IN MOST DEVASTATED ISLANDS OF KUTUBDIA AND MOHESKHALI.

- PUMPING OUT POLLUTED AND SALINE WATER FROM STAGNATED AREAS, PONDS AND PADDY FIELDS.

- PROVISION OF HOUSING MATERIALS SUCH AS BAMBOOS/WOODEN POLES, CORRUGATED IRON SHEETS AND NAILS.

- ESTABLISHING AND RE-EQUIPPING MEDICAL CARE CENTRES, PARTICULARLY IN KUTUBADIA AND MOHESKHALI ISLANDS WHERE DIARRHOEA CASES HAVE INCREASED IN NUMBERS.

17. UNICEF SIGNALS UNMET PRIORITY NEEDS THEIR SECTOR BEING:

CONTRIBUTIONS

18. BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS AS OF 5 JUNE, AS REPORTED TO UNDRO, BY DONOR CATEGORY. DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE WITH UNDRO.

1. WITH EMERGENCY MOVING FROM IMMEDIATE RELIEF TOWARDS REHABILITATION PHASE, NO FURTHER UNDRO SITREPS ARE ENVISAGED ON RELIEF PHASE UNLESS NEW DEVELOPMENTS OF SIGNIFICANT NATURE SHOULD OCCUR. CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON SHORT AND MEDIUM TERM NEEDS, PRESENTLY BEING PREPARED BY INTER-AGENCY TASKFORCE IN DHAKA, WILL BE PRESENTED TO DONOR COMMUNITY IN GENEVA ON 16 JULY. TASK FORCE (ESTABLISHED BY UN DISASTER RELIEF CO-ORDINATOR ON BEHALF OF UN SEC-GEN) CONSISTS OF FOLLOWING AGENCIES: UNDRO, UNDP, HABITAT, WFP, FAO, UNESCO, WHO, ITU, UNIDO AND WMO.

20. FOR CO-ORDINATION PURPOSES, PLEASE INFORM UNDRO IMMEDIATELY AS INDICATED BELOW OF PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS (SPECIFYING VALUE BY ITEM).

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA

UNDRO TELEPHONE NO: +41 22-731-02-11
UNDRO EMERGENCY TEL.NO. (OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS): +41 22-733-2010

UNDRO DESK OFFICER: MR. O. ALMGREN, EXT. 3279
PRESS TO CONTACT UNDRO SPOKESPERSON: MR. M. KHATIB, EXT. 2856

UNDRO TELEX: 414242 DRO CH
UNDRO FAX: +41 22-733-56-23
UNDRO ELECTRONIC MAIL: UNIENET ID UNX008

DPR 310 BGD'91 (1)