10 Days Later: Picking up the Pieces

10 days have passed since the disastrous Cyclone Aila swept over the coast of Bangladesh. People saw their homes and the property that they had accumulated through hard work of a lifetime destroyed by the ferocious storm and tidal waves in a matter of minutes. Aila left, taking with her the lives of 168 people and leaving hundreds of thousands of families without food, water or shelter. The slideshow above shows how people are coping.

BRAC’s members and programs in the region were hit hard by the storm. For example, in Shamynagar area, 5 of 8 BRAC microfinance branches were flooded. 175 of 210 of BRAC’s community health volunteers (Shastya Shebikas) and 12 of 18 health workers (Shastya Kormis) were affected – their homes were flooded and/or they relocated. All of their medicine stocks were lost. 75 of BRAC’s 237 TB patients were affected. 21,410 of 29,950 BRAC borrowers in that area suffered losses: 13,104 were rendered homeless and 8,051 have partially damaged homes.

In Gabura all 3,680 borrowers were affected. BRAC is mourning the loss of 72 of our members there. In Nawabeki branch 2,916 of 2,966 borrowers were affected.

BRAC is currently delivering aid to affected communities. Below is a dashboard summary on what we have implemented as of June 4.

• Dry Food and Water Packets* – 34,308 families
• Rice Packets** – 1,131 families
• 10 liters of safe water – 17,691 families
• Ponds drained of saline water – 6

Local authorities have requested that BRAC drain another 15 ponds of water. Polythene sheets have been procured and distribution has started. Rice food packets and water will continue to be distributed. BRAC is coordinating with other organizations and the Bangladesh Army Monitoring Cells to serve remote villages as well as to avoid duplication.

*Dry food aid packets include chira - dry, flattened rice; molasses; Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) sachets used to combat diarrhea; 2 liters of bottled water
**Rice packets include rice; lentil; potato; cooking oil; matches; glucose biscuits; ORS sachets