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USAID Provides Cyclone Assistance to Bangladesh
BACKGROUND AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- Needs assessments conducted by the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART), the U.N., and the
Government of Bangladesh (GOB) indicate that several response benchmarks have been met through international and
GOB relief interventions. The benchmarks include water-borne disease prevalence that is not significantly higher
than baseline rates, Global Acute Malnutrition rates that do not exceed the emergency threshold, and no reported
unserved areas. These indicators signify that the acute emergency phase has largely ended.
- Support for early recovery activities is now the priority for the Tropical Cyclone Sidr response efforts. Key sectors
include livelihoods, shelter, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). To date, international donors
have pledged or contributed approximately $156 million towards relief and recovery activities in Bangladesh,
according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Financial Tracking Service.
- On December 11, the USAID/DART transitioned into an Early Recovery Team, which is working closely with
USAID/Bangladesh to assist in the transition of operations from relief to early recovery.
UPDATES
12/12/07: Fact Sheet #10 (pdf, 82kb)
12/12/07: Map #10 (pdf, 478kb)
| NUMBERS AT A GLANCE* | SOURCE |
|---|
| Total Affected Population | 3,347 dead, 871 missing, 8.9 million affected | GOB – December 12, 2007 |
| Houses Damaged or Destroyed | 1.5 million houses damaged or destroyed | GOB – December 12, 2007 |
*Figures based on preliminary estimates.
HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED IN FY 2008
USAID/OFDA Assistance to Bangladesh: $4,540,287
USAID/Food For Peace Assistance to Bangladesh: $15,000,000
Total USAID Humanitarian Assistance to Bangladesh: $19,540,287
CURRENT SITUATION
Food Security
- As of December 11, the U.N. food cluster, chaired by the U.N. World Food Program (WFP), as well as the
USAID/DART and non-governmental organizations operating on the field all reported that immediate food security
needs are being met. The GOB and aid agencies reported no instances of severe malnutrition or other problems to
indicate a lack of sufficient food intake.
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society relief
teams have completed the distribution of food and non-food items to 15,000 families in Bagerhat, Pirojpur and
Patuakhali districts, and distributions for 5,000 beneficiaries in Barguna District will be completed by December 13.
Livelihoods
- USAID/DART and IFRC field assessments noted that the cyclone particularly affected the livelihoods of farmers and
fishermen. Interruption to these livelihoods caused a ripple effect through secondary livelihoods built around fishing
and farming, including traders and day laborers.
- The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization is currently distributing emergency seeds and agricultural inputs to
support families in livelihood rehabilitation.
USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Cyclone Relief Programs
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- On November 15, Tropical Cyclone Sidr made landfall in southern Bangladesh with winds of 155 miles per hour. On
November 16, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Geeta Pasi declared a disaster due to the effects of the cyclone. From
November 17 to December 11, the USAID/DART worked with USAID/Bangladesh, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, and
the U.S. Military to respond to the cyclone.
- USAID has provided more than $19 million in emergency funds to support relief and early recovery activities,
including shelter and WASH programs. The funds also include USAID/FFP’s allocation of $15 million of P.L. 480
Title II emergency food assistance.
- In collaboration with implementing partners, USAID/OFDA has provided 15,000 blankets, 2,500 hygiene kits, and
4,900 water containers, serving nearly 45,000 beneficiaries. In addition, USAID/OFDA provided eight water
purification units and four 10,000-liter water bladders for the cyclone response, improving the hygiene and sanitation
conditions of nearly 80,000 people. USAID/OFDA has also delivered 300 rolls of plastic sheeting, benefiting
approximately 18,000 people.
- In total, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) airlifted more than 327 metric tons (MT) of relief commodities from
Dhaka to Barisal before operations ended on December 6. DOD helicopters flew 118 cumulative sorties from Barisal
to various affected sites, transporting a total of 115 MT of goods and over 54,000 liters of water. In addition to
logistical support, U.S. military medical teams worked closely with Bangladeshi counterparts, both military and
civilian, to provide direct patient care in affected areas.
Preparedness and Mitigation Programs
- USAID has a longstanding commitment of investing in preparedness and mitigation programs in Bangladesh. USAID
programs include the construction and maintenance of multi-purpose flood and cyclone shelters as well as wave
protection walls and earthen embankments to reduce flood damage. In addition to building nearly 4,000 physical
mitigation structures since 2005, USAID has trained local disaster management committees to oversee emergency
response and provided cyclone-preparedness training programs for coastal areas.
- Over the past decade, two USAID/OFDA programs have promoted coordination between communities and local
authorities and supported the operation of mobile water purification plants and a mobile health unit. USAID/OFDA
also has supported community flood monitoring and forecasting to mitigate damage in flood plains.
- USAID-funded disaster preparedness mechanisms already in country before the storm included zodiac boats, water
treatment systems, and water ambulances used for emergency operations. USAID partners pre-positioned 30,000
emergency survival packages, as well as food stockpiles, to facilitate distribution after the storm passed.
- USAID/OFDA programs have developed cadres of professional emergency response instructors, strengthened the
forecasting capacity of regional and national hydrometeorological institutions, carried out hazard mapping and
vulnerability assessments, and established community-based early warning mechanisms in urban centers.
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