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In brief
This Bulletin (no. 02/2 006) is being issued for information only, and reflects the status of the situation and i n formation available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.
The Situation
As reported in Information Bulletin 01, a devastating two minute long twin t o rnado swept over two south-western districts of Bangladesh, Bagerhat and Khulna, on th e 4thof M arch at 20:45 local time (14:45 GMT). The tornado that struck Sharankhola upazila (sub-district) in Bagerhat caused the deaths, injuries and damage to property.
This particular tornado affected more than 1000 families, killed four people, and n i jured over5 00 people, of which 17 were severely injured. According to Sharankhola local authorities these people were rushed to the orthopedic hospital i n a nearby district town of Bagerhat. Many others were given first aid by doctors i n the village.
According to the media, the second tornado hit Bittibirala and Chandgarh villages in h t e Dumuria subdistrict of Khulna district at around 19:00 lo cal time on the same day, 4tho f March. It injured 12 people, damaged at least 50 houses and caused extensive damage to crops and trees.
In Bagerhat district, according to the joint Federation/Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) assessment t e am, most deaths and injuries were caused by flying debris and collapsed houses in the villages. Around1 000 houseswe re damaged, many completely destroyed. Hundreds of trees were uprooted and crops were destroyed. Damage was increased due to strong wind, rainfall and hailstones. No paddy crops have been damaged as the last harvest was finalized, however lentils crops worth 10m Bangladeshi Taka (CHF 192,000) have been damaged due t o heavy rainfall and hailstone, according to lo cal agriculturists.
Most people who have lost their houses have stayed in the affected area and are trying to renovate/repair their home houses with local resources (ba mboo, wood, thatch materials etc.) Some of the partially damaged houses are already repaired. Most of the affected population's income sources are fishing, collecting wood from the forest, daily labourer, farming etc.
According to the BDRCS/IFRC assessment team the information regarding number of affected families/damage in Bagerhat district is showed below. (The information regarding Khulna district is based on local media i n formation):
Summary of Damage
|
Events
|
Bagerhat, Sharonkhola
|
Khulna*
|
Total
|
|
Death
|
4
|
--
|
4
|
|
Injured
|
537
|
12
|
549
|
|
Name of Affected Unions
|
Dhansagar, Rayenda, Khontakata
|
1
|
4
|
|
Affected villages
|
6
|
2
|
8
|
|
Affected families
|
1070
|
--
|
1070
|
|
Full damage houses
|
350
|
50
|
400
|
|
Partially damaged houses
|
670
|
--
|
670
|
* All information regarding Khulna district is based on local media information.
Government/NGOs action
After the disaster the government immediately distributed 35,000 kg of rice among 600 affected families. Additionally, there were allocated 30 bundle (one bundle is seven sheets) of corrugated iron sheets to be distributed among the victims who completely lost their houses.
The BDRCS/IFRC assessment team did not find any other organization working in the affected areas at the time of h t eir visit.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
As an immediate response, the local Red Crescent unit in Bagerhat distributed 1,400 kg of rice from their local disaster emergency fund. This was distributed among 200 families in th e local areas (known as "unions") of Dhanshagar, Rayenda and Khontakata) on th e 6tho f March.
The BDRCS/F ederation relief assessment team was sent early morning on the 6 March for a needs assessment in h t e most affected area, Sharankhola upazillai n Bagerhat. They returned to Dhaka yesterday. Based on the assessment teams reporta nd recommendations, th e BDRCS decided to additionally assist 350 families, whom have completely lost their houses, living in the three most affected areas in Sharankola upazilla, Bagerhat. Distribution will take place on the 9 March and 350 "family kits" (containing basic household supplies) and 350 blankets will be distributed. These non-food relief items will provide fo r the basic requirement of the affected population.
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the Federation delegation are closely monitoring the situation.
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: contact 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.mckerro w@ifrc.org, Phone +91 11 24111125
Federation Secretariat in Geneva: Mr. Jagan Chapagain, regional of icer Asia Pacific department, email: j ag an.chapagain@ifrc.org, phone +41 22 730 4316, fax: + 41 22 7330395 and Mr. Hiroto Oyama, Regional Officer, Asia Pacific Department, email: hiroto.oyama@ifrc.org, Phone: + 41 22 .730 42 73; fax: + 41 22 7330395
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response( Sphere)i n delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org