Situation
Six months after Cyclone Mahasen hit central-west Bangladesh on 16 May 2013 leaving 17 dead and nearly 1.5 million people affected, thousands of people are still in need of shelter, water and sanitation, and livelihood support although the situation in the affected communities is improving. The majority of the affected population has returned home to repair their damaged shelters with the support of neighbors and relatives. Most of the houses have been repaired temporarily using wooden part, straw and polythene sheet. However, some of the repaired shelters were unable to house all the family members due to the reduced living space.
With acres of crops damaged by the Cyclone, the affected people have been struggling to make a living. The lack of day-labor opportunities as agricultural farmers has disrupted livelihood of the communities. Most people have less than two meals in a day with great difficulty in meeting their basic daily household needs.
Red Cross Red Crescent Actions
As the Cyclone Mahasen approached Bangladesh, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) disseminated early warning to the people living in the coastal districts and was able to evacuate 1.1 million people to cyclone shelters with the help of volunteers and staff of its cyclone preparedness programme.
The International Red Cross is working closely with the BDRCS in providing emergency relief and early recovery assistance to those affected by the cyclone, and is seeking for a total of HK$ 14 million globally to assist 8,000 families.
Immediately after the cyclone, the Red Cross Movement provided 4,000 families with tarpaulins, jerry cans and a single cash grant for food and other necessities. During the early recovery stages, the Red Cross Movement is implementing an integrated early recovery program including shelter, sanitation, livelihood and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) support in both Barguna and Patuakhali districts, which will benefit a total of 4,000 cyclone-affected families.
Hong Kong Red Cross Actions
To reduce risks and strengthen resilience, together with food security, healthier lives and WatSan, HKRC has mobilized approximately HK$4.1 million to support the integrated early recovery program through International Red Cross in one of the worst affected districts, Barguna. It is expected that at least 2,000 families will benefit from our operation.
General Enquiries Please dial 2802-0016, fax to 2802-0017 or email to relief@redcross.org.hk
