To date, Save the Children has provided emergency relief to more 130,000 families affected by cyclone Sidr, which struck the southern coast of Bangladesh on November 15, 2007. We are working in eight districts of Barisal and Khulna divisions along the southern coast of Bangladesh. We have opened 42 child friendly spaces benefiting 4,500 children and is conducting health activities in partnership with local NGOs, community volunteers and the government health department.
It is reported that the cyclone has affected 8.9 million people in 31 districts, with 3,347 people killed, 55,282 injured and 871 unaccounted for. The Government of Bangladesh estimates that 1,522,077 houses were damaged, while the UN estimates that 4,231 educational institutions were totally damaged and 12,723 partially damaged.
To date, Save the Children has provided emergency relief to more than 130,000 families and distributed:
Save the Children staff in Barguna district report that a large number of people from remote villages where aid has not reached are gathering near the main highway to ask for relief. They report entire villages being washed away with residents scattered by the floods and large numbers of people injured and missing. This indicates that there are a large number of people still in need of assistance.
Media centre - Save the Children Australia: contact Sharyn Hanly: +61 3 9938 2011 or Mob: +61 (0)437 355 096