More than $80,000 raised for people of Bangladesh

December 04, 2007

New Zealanders have already donated more than $80,000 to World Vision New Zealand’s appeal for the people of Bangaldesh affected by Cyclone Sidr, which struck during the night of November 15.

The humanitarian organisation aims to raise at least $300,000 to help those most affected.

Two World Vision New Zealand-funded Area Development Programmes (ADPs) were severely affected by the cyclone. They are Chitalmari and Laudob ADPs. There are approximately 5,500 children sponsored by New Zealanders in these two ADPs – none of whom have been reported missing.

In total, 1.3 million families across Bangladesh have been affected by the cyclone. More than 3,500 bodies have been recovered.

Bangladesh is a particularly low-lying country and is one of the most densely populated nations, with 142 million people. When cyclones, storms or tidal surges hit, the country is swamped by incoming water and hundreds of thousands are affected each time.

Early warning systems have helped to keep the death toll from this cyclone relatively low. However the impact on people’s livelihoods and the Bangladesh economy are huge and will be impossible to recover from without international help.

World Vision ’s relief work continues

World Vision is distributing tin sheeting to help families repair their houses or make temporary shelters while they rebuild their homes.

Around 1.2 million houses were damaged by Cyclone Sidr – 30 per cent of those are reported to be completely destroyed; the remaining 70 per cent partially destroyed.

Executive director of World Vision Bangladesh, Vince Edward, says thousands of people have already been given food and clothing.

“Our initial plan was to ensure that families in our ADP areas who have been affected by the cyclone were given food, clothing and shelter.”

World Vision Bangladesh is now preparing a long-term plan to help the families most severely affected by the cyclone, both within the ADPs and beyond.

This plan is the result of an assessment of the areas outside of World Vision ADPs that were affected by the cyclone, namely Barguna, Pirojpur, Bagerhat and Patuakhali districts. The plan is being formulated in consultation with the local government and communities, including women and children.

The immediate priorities are to supply food, nutrition, and non-food items like clothes, utensils and candles. Emergency shelter and transitional housing materials like corrugated iron sheeting are also needed. Water, sanitation and hygiene also require attention right away, as the threat of waterborne diseases spreading is high.

Help is getting through

By Amio James Ascension, Communications, World Vision Bangladesh

It is about 3 in the afternoon and 9-year-old Bakul and her 4-year-old brother Rahul are eating lunch with their father, Nittananda. Their mother is inside the small shelter they have made by salvaging pieces of their demolished home.

The family lost everything they had on the night of November 15. Their thatch and bamboo home, two goats, bedding and clothing were washed away or destroyed when Cyclone Sidr struck the southern part of Bangladesh.

“So far as I can remember, I never saw such a speedy storm in my area,” says Nittananda, as his wife serves him rice. The family is having their first proper meal since the cyclone. They last ate 24 hours ago – a bowl of rice.

The family lives about 200 kilometres from the coast. Since the cyclone they have only been able to manage one meal a day, by buying rice with credit. Nittananda can only hope that he will be able to pay for it once he starts working again. Nittananda made his living making baskets and other wares out of bamboo and cane, and sold them on the ferries.

“Since the cyclone I cannot work as I am always worried about getting food and shelter for my family. And I do not have money to purchase bamboo and cane for my work,” he says.

The worry lines on Nittananda’s face are slightly less because he now has enough supplies to keep his family fed for a week.

“We have received a relief package from World Vision. They have given us 15 kilograms of rice, potatoes, pulses and salt along with some other things like clothing and blankets. The food will be enough for us for the next 8 days. By this time, I will hopefully have found some work,” he says.

The children need books and other school supplies to continue their studies.

“Our books were washed away,” says Bakul. “We need books, pens and notebooks. But first of all we need a house to live in.”

“We are grateful that World Vision has given us food. We hope that they will also be able to build a house for us,” says Bakul.

To donate to World Vision’s appeal for Bangladesh, call 0800 90 5000.