Thousands of cyclone survivors are at risk of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea unless they receive immediate access to clean water, warned the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
According to Selva Sinnadurai, Head of the International Federation’s Bangladesh delegation, Red Crescent volunteers and staff are still struggling to reach some of the more remote communities affected by Cyclone Sidr, seven days since the storm smashed into Bangladesh’s coast.
“This is of real concern as many people have had nothing to eat or clean water to drink since the storm hit,” Sinnadurai said. “We’re worried that they may soon resort to drinking from contaminated water sources, which could lead to major diarrhoea outbreaks. In one district there have already been deaths reported.”
Red Cross Red Crescent assessments suggest that many water sources, particularly those nearer the coast have been contaminated by salt water. In addition, dead human bodies and animal carcasses have been found in a number of water ponds, causing survivors to avoid them. As a result, many people have to walk long distances to find clean drinking water, a task that will become more challenging without relief assistance.
In an effort to overcome some of these logistical challenges, the British Red Cross has sent a logistics emergency response unit (ERU) to Dhaka that is expected to arrive today.
Latest government figures suggest that 2,837 people have been confirmed dead, with a further 2,176 missing and 18,558 injured. In all, 5,488,216 people have been affected with 458,429 houses completely destroyed. The storm also wiped out more than 150,000 acres of crops and killed more than 350,000 heads of livestock.
So far, the Bangladesh Red Crescent, with support from the International Federation, has distributed food and water, as well as family kits, plastic sheets and clothes to thousands of families in some of the worst affected areas. Eight Red Crescent medical teams have also been sent out to the field, with a further ten on their way. An International Federation Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT) has returned to Dhaka having completed a detailed evaluation of the extent of damage, needs of survivors and the hazards they face.
Last week, the International Federation launched a preliminary emergency appeal for 4 million Swiss francs ($3.6 million US/ euro2.4 million) to assist 235,000 people affected by the devastating storm. A revised appeal will be launched in the next 24 hours and will take into account the longer-term needs of cyclone survivors says Al Panico, the head of the International Federation’s delegation in South Asia.
“When a disaster like Sidr strikes, it doesn’t only cause loss of life and property,” explained Al Panico, the International Federation’s regional representative for South Asia. “It can also take away, or threaten, the livelihoods and future of those who have survived. Helping communities to recover - to rebuild homes, lives and livelihoods - is complex but essential work that continues long after emergency relief has been provided.”