18 January 2011
Tropical Bangladesh has been experiencing severe and unprecedented cold weather since early January, affecting northern and south-western parts of the country. Temperatures have remained low with biting winds and dense fog. Poor communities in the north are the worst affected, and the bitterly cold weather has brought life and businesses to a standstill, particularly in the region near the Himalayas.
A cold wind from the north-west has exacerbated the situation for urban dwellers already living in poor conditions. Unable to buy warm clothes, many vulnerable people are struggling to keep warm at night.
"For us it is really difficult. I have to go to work or else I won't be able to feed my child," says Rahima, a labourer on a daily wage, standing in the feeble sunlight. "But the icy wind is biting me and I have only one piece of warm clothing."
The situation in rural areas is just as bad. The harsh weather has affected agriculture, fisheries and other natural resources, which will have a longer-term impact on the economic situation of already vulnerable communities.
"If the cold wave continues for another few weeks, my brother and I won't be able to work our farm land and we won't be able to sow the new rice crop. Our neighbour's wheat crop is supposed to be harvested in the next six weeks, but the growth of the crop will be slowed down if the severe winter continues," explains Habibul Rahman, a 31-year-old farmer from Nator district in northern Bangladesh.
Most of the farmers in this area are surviving on their existing rice stocks, but they won't last for long. Although the government is providing some subsidies, the situation is deteriorating and people's needs are increasing as the temperatures drop.
"I have to share whatever warm clothes I have with my brother Hamid, and our family is unable to work as my parents are suffering from cold," says Habibul.
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the IFRC have carried out a rapid needs assessment in seven of the worst-affected districts. The goal is to reach 16 out of the 26 areas.
The cold wave has resulted in a significant rise in respiratory illnesses and, in some cases, death. Hundreds of people, especially children and the elderly, are suffering from cold-related diseases including bronchial asthma, pneumonia, coughs and diarrhoea. The Bangladesh Red Crescent is putting together a first warm clothes package to assist more than 30,000 people.
"The cold wave has had a terrible impact on northern communities. People are suffering from various cold-related illness," said Adithshah Durjoy, the IFRC's disaster management officer, after the assessment. "We found that there is an increase in patients being admitted to health clinics with cold-related illnesses like asthma, pneumonia and child diarrhoea."
The IFRC has allocated 253,527 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society deliver immediate assistance to more than 100,000 people affected by the cold wave in northern Bangladesh. The assistance, which will include the distribution of blankets, shawls and hats, will reach 20,000 families and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.