IRIN
BANGLADESH: International cyclone aid tops US$233 million
5 December 2007


DHAKA, 5 December 2007 (IRIN) - International assistance to victims of 
last month's devastating cyclone in Bangladesh has now reached more than 
US$233 million, a senior UN official has confirmed.

"The donor community has shown generosity in its response to Cyclone 
Sidr," Renata Lok Dessallien, the UN resident coordinator for 
Bangladesh, told IRIN in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital.

"By making funding swiftly available, they will help pay for a wide 
range of relief activities to ease the plight of the cyclone's victims," 
she said.

Over 3,200 people were killed and millions more left homeless when the 
powerful category four storm slammed into the country's southwestern 
coastal area on 15 November - badly affecting nine of the country's 64 
districts.

Saudi Arabia has topped the list of contributions made thus far, with 
just over $100 million, followed by the USA, Japan, the UK and Kuwait, 
with $19.5 million, $18 million, $14 million and $10 million 
respectively.

The UN itself is delivering over $15 million, including monies granted 
by the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Other significant contributions pledged include almost $9.4 million from 
the European Commission, $7.4 million from the Netherlands, as well as 
donations from Canada, Norway, Australia, Sweden, Belgium, and others, 
while Islamic Relief has offered over $8 million.

Such funds will prove invaluable in supporting the Bangladesh's 
humanitarian efforts, the UN's Dessallien said, making specific mention 
of the Saudi contribution, as well as the US military's assistance in 
airlifting much needed relief to those areas particularly difficult to 
reach.

"But the storm was colossal and the needs are great, both in the short 
and long term," said Dessallien.

"As we move from the phase of immediate relief operations to recovery 
and rebuilding, we urge donors to remain engaged in the situation. It is 
estimated that the cyclone caused damage worth around $2.3 billion. With 
such destruction, the need for further funding is significant," he said.

Damage greater than originally thought

Over 8.5 million people were affected by the storm, roughly 1.5 million 
more than previously estimated, while the number of injured had grown by 
an additional 5,000 persons, bringing the total to 40,000.

Nearly 564,000 homes were completely destroyed - 200,000 more than 
initial estimates, while almost 900,000 had been damaged.

Over 2 million acres of crops were damaged and over 1.25 million 
livestock confirmed dead, the latter figure being more than two times 
greater than originally thought.

At the same time, reports continue to come in on the extent of damage to 
roads and public buildings, including over 15,000 educational 
institutions.

"As more information becomes available, an even grimmer reality is being 
revealed," a statement by the Office for the Coordination of 
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on 4 December.

In the aftermath of the cyclone, the World Bank pledged funding of up to 
$250 million to help millions of Bangladeshis recover and to strengthen 
the country's disaster mitigation systems, while the Asian Development 
Bank is formulating a relief and reconstruction proposal worth $150 
million, potentially above $200 million, pending co-financing 
arrangements.

Bangladesh welcomes aid

The international humanitarian response is being coordinated through six 
groups, under the leadership of the Ministry of Food and Disaster 
Management.

In a statement on 3 December, Bangladesh's chief adviser, Dr Fakruhddin 
Ahmed, the head of the country's emergency government, welcomed the 
support from the international community.

"The solidarity and compassion is evident in the support we received 
from our friends all over the world. We would like to transform these 
gestures of support into securing a long-term solution to our 
suffering," said Dr Ahmed.

The chief adviser outlined a number of projects that would be part of a 
sustainable system of protection against natural disasters, including 
the construction of embankments, dykes, and cyclone shelters.

"We have to undertake a large programme of infrastructure projects that 
will make the region a more attractive place to live and invest. We 
cannot allow the cyclone victims to permanently slide down into 
poverty," he said.


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