Bangladesh ~ Cyclone Sidr

November 2007 - June 2010

On November 15th, 2007, a category five cyclone struck the southern coast of Bangladesh. Because the government was prepared, around three million people were evacuated. However, hundreds of thousands of people were still present when the cylcone hit. It was estimated that over 3,347 people have died, and that 8.9 million lives were affected (data source: USAID, December 12, 2007).

Food Aid

CRWRC responded to the crisis with a number of projects. The immediate response was food aid. Eleven days after Cyclone Sidr hit, distributions to over 10,000 households began. In December 2007 we distributed essential non-food items to a total of 2, 000 households. Blankets, clothes, mosquito nets, water purification tablets and other health necessities were distributed. A third project was to restore the coast’s infrastructure while providing community members with food for their work.

In the first CRWRC partnered with Food for the Hungry, Bangladesh Nazarene Mission, and Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh, planning on helping 10, 000 eat well for a full month. By the end of December CRWRC had reached 12, 368 homes –a total of 60, 000 individuals.

Basic Health Needs

Next, CRWRC responded to basic health needs. In the same communities that received food aid, health care packages were distributed to 2, 000 households. Mosquito nets prevented malaria; blankets provided warmth; oral rehydration salts helped children recover from diarrhea; and water purification tablets ensured families were drinking clean water.

For this project CRWRC continued to partner with Bangladesh Nazarene Mission, and Lutheran Health Care, while adding Canadian Churches in Action as a third partner.

Road & Pond Restoration

In the midst of this project community members indicated a need for road repair and pond excavation. Floods had so damaged roads that villages were isolated –cut off from medical clinics, schools, and markets. Fish ponds were filled in with silt makig it difficult for families to secure protein-based foods. Food security was still a pressing issue, so a food for work project was developed to address nutrition while also improving the infrastructure.

The project began February 25, 2008 and ran until the end of September. With the help of Lutheran Health Care, 1,100 beneficiaries worked for food to reconstruct 15 km of road, re-excavate 35 fish ponds, and raise 12 school yards and community grounds. In addition, 2,000 families received fruit tree saplings and 15 widow families worked for cash to tend shade saplings.

Throughout these projects CRWRC was careful to collaborate with local government and community members. Both government and community groups contributed essential information and resources that helped make the project a success.

With the restored infrastructure communication between villages improved, medical treatment became more accessible, and school attendance experienced a boost. The roads built and the trees planted also reduced the risks of future flooding.