Period covered by this Ops Update: 15 November 2007 to 30 June 2009;
Appeal target (current): CHF 24,483,160 (USD 22.2 million or EUR 15 million) in cash, kind, or services to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to assist 243,000 families (1,215,000 beneficiaries) over two years.
Appeal coverage: 80%
Appeal history:
- A Preliminary Appeal was launched for CHF 3,989,305 on 16 November 2007 to mobilize immediate relief assistance.
- CHF 250,000 was allocated from the International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support this operation.
- This operation is to be implemented over a two-year period and is expected to be completed by November 2009. A final report will be made available three months after the end of the operation.
Summary:
Over 20 months have passed since Cyclone Sidr hit the coasts of south-western Bangladesh, affecting more than 8.9 million people and causing large scale economic and agricultural damages all over the country. Survivors are gradually recovering from the devastation that has caused such immense effect on their lives.
Immediately after the Cyclone Sidr, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and the International Federation, in close coordination with the relevant departments of the Bangladesh government and other international and local agencies, have quickly responded to the disaster and provided the most immediate needs of medical services, food, drinking water, clothing and shelter relief, including household and hygiene items, to the most affected families. The BDRCS mobilized several medical teams and sent BDT 6.4 million (CHF116, 360) to its branches in 18 of the affected districts to buy dry food for distribution to the affected people. In addition, relief items were provided to 73,320 families in the affected areas by the end of the first phase of the relief distribution.
As of 30 November 2007, the Bangladesh government allocated approximately BDT 507 million (CHF 8.4 million) from the Chief Advisor's Relief and Welfare Fund for the people affected by Cyclone Sidr. Through its Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation, the government also distributed 27,000 food bags (containing rice); 26,700 blankets; 16,454 tents; 3,348 utensils and 13,000 bundles of corrugated iron sheets.
The United Nation's Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) cluster approach was activated on 28 November 2007 to support the Bangladeshi government in the coordination of the operation. The International Federation deployed a shelter coordination team on 21 November 2007 in response to A recently completed core shelter the coordination needs expressed by a number of agencies. For better assessment of the situation and effective coordination of the emergency operation, the International Federation deployed a nine member field assessment and coordination team (FACT) which prepared a plan of action that was shared with all partners and the regional disaster response team (RDRT) was also brought in to assist in the disaster response and relief. A four-member logistics emergency response unit (ERU) from the British Red Cross was also deployed in order to set up the logistics system and warehouse management.