Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal 2007
Austcare has changed its name to ActionAid Australia For more information please visit the ActionAid website www.actionaid.org.auDonate now or by calling 1300 66 66 72
The current situationOn Thursday 15 November 2007, Cyclone Sidr, described as the worst storm in years to hit the disaster-prone country, triggered a six metre high tidal wave that crashed into the south-west coast before sweeping north over the capital Dhaka. An estimated 3000 people have lost their lives, with authorities estimating the figure could go as high as 10,000, with hundreds of fishermen still missing. Some organisations have estimated that over 1 million people are now homeless, and up to 7 million lives have been affected. The main damage was caused in the coastal districts of Khulna, Barisal, Borguna and Mongla where the cyclone was at its strongest. Entire stretches of road along the coast were destroyed by the tidal wave, and homes, food stocks, crops, livestock and drinking water were all washed away. Dhaka was also hit badly resulting in loss of power supply, damaged property and uprooted trees. The area is one of the most impoverished parts of Bangladesh, itself one of the world's poorest countries. The recent floods in July caused significant crop loss in northern and central areas. The combined impact of these two disasters to this country is predicted to be massive. |
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Austcare's Response
In partnership with ActionAid, Austcare is supporting organisations on the ground in Bangladesh assisting in the rescue effort, providing food, cooking materials, water, clothing and medicine.
Of particular concern are issues of water and sanitation, as many wells have been contaminated with flood water. This has left communities in the coastal regions exposed to waterborne diseases.
Using funds raised, Austcare intends to provide assistance to 15,000 disaster survivors (3,000 families) in two of the worst affected districts, Khulna and Bagerhat. Aid items intended include:
• Medicines
• Food such as rice, pulses, salt, oil, and sugar
• Clothing such as women's Sharee, men's Lungi and children's clothes
• Blankets
• Family Survival Kits
• Psychosocial care: for traumatised survivors
• Assistance for 400 disabled persons
In line with Austcare's approach to emergency response, ActionAid are focusing attention on those who are most vulnerable; women, children, the elderly and disabled.
Cox's Bazaar, where Austcare is partnering with two organisations (TAI and ELCOP) to assist Rohinga refugees, sustained no major damage and refugees were evacuated in time.
Please donate now to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable people in Bangladesh.
$70 could provide basic medicines and health care for 100 families.