Bangladesh |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations:
Cyclone, Localized Food Crisis
OFDA Response:
Shelter, Seed Distributions, Emergency Relief Activities, Emergency Relief Supplies, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
OFDA Preparedness:
Disaster preparedness, flood preparedness, capacity building
Latest OFDA Report:
Bangladesh Fact Sheet #11 (67kb PDF)
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Localized Food Crisis, 04-24-2008
Every 40 to 50 years, bamboo indigenous to the Chittagong Hill Tracts in southeastern Bangladesh flowers simultaneously. Rodents consume the bamboo flowers and fruits, leading the rat population to multiply at many times the normal rate. The rats completely consume the bamboo in affected areas, then destroy crops and food stockpiles. According to the U.N. Development Program, the rodent infestation affected approximately 128,000 people in 572 villages, while destroying 80 to 100 percent of crops in affected areas. On April 12, the GOB requested donor assistance.
On April 24, U.S. Ambassador James F. Moriarty issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of food insecurity resulting from the rodent infestation. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Bangladesh to CARE for the local purchase and distribution of seeds to affected populations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Cyclone, 11-16-2007
On November 15, Tropical Cyclone Sidr made landfall in southern Bangladesh with winds of 155 miles per hour. The cyclone has resulted in approximately 3,500 deaths, according to media reports. The Government of Bangladesh’s (GOB) Disaster Management Information Center reported 2,625 officially confirmed deaths as of 1800 hours local time on November 19. The GOB evacuated approximately 3.2 million people from along the coastlines of 15 districts before the cyclone made landfall. Precise damage assessments were delayed due to damaged communication and transportation infrastructure.
On November 16, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Geeta Pasi declared a disaster in response to the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Sidr. In response, USAID/OFDA is providing more than $2.3 million in assistance. The assistance includes $2.1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, CARE, Save the Children/U.S., and other humanitarian organizations for emergency relief activities, as well as emergency relief supplies valued at $252,215, including transport.
On November 17 and 18, a five-person USAID/OFDA assessment team arrived in Bangladesh. The assessment team is working closely with USAID/Bangladesh, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), non-governmental organizations, and the GOB to assess the extent of the damage, identify additional assistance requirements, and coordinate USG assistance efforts.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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