The Federation's mission is to improve
the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It
is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers
are act ive in over 183 countries.
In Brief
This Bulletin (no. 01/2006) is being issued for information only, and reflects the status of the situation and information available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.
The Situation
A devastating two minute long tornado lashed over six villages of Bagerhat District in southern part of Bangladesh (350 km south of Dhaka) on 4 March at 21:45 local time (15:45 GMT). According to the local media, the tornado destroyed approximately 500 houses, uprooted hundreds of trees and crops were destroyed. More than 500 families were affected, 4 people have been killed and more than 50 people were injured, 17 of them seriously. The injured people are currently under treatment in the local health clinics and hospital. The total number of people being treated in hospital is unknown at this stage.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the Federation Delegation are closely monitoring the situation and the developments. A two-member joint BDRCS/Federation assessment team left Dhaka this morning to conduct a rapid needs assessment of the affected area. Further information will be provided upon return of the assessment team.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
Bangladesh: Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Mr. A.S.M. Akram, acting secretary general, email: bdrcs@bangla.net, phone +88 02 9337314
Federation delegation in Bangladesh: Mr. Selvaratnam Sinnadurai, head of delegation, email: selvaratnam.sinnadurai@ifrc.org, phone + 88 0171621615, fax: +88 02 9341631
South Asia regional delegation in New Delhi: Mr. Bob McKerrow, head of regional delegation, email: bob.mckerrow@ifrc.org, phone +91 11 24111125, fax: +91-11-24111128
Federation Secretariat in Geneva: Mr. Hiroto Oyama, regional officer, Asia Pacific department, email: hiroto.oyama@ifrc.org, phone: +41 22 73 4273, or Nelly Khrabraya, senior assistant, e-mail: nelly.khrabraya@ifrc.org phone: +41 22 730 4306, fax: +41 22 733 0395