Tuesday 20 November 2007
Cyclone Sidr, a Category 4 cyclone, hit Bangladesh's south-western coast on Thursday 15 November. Heavy rains were experienced throughout the country, including the capital Dhaka. The cyclone hit offshore islands in the Bay of Bengal at approximately 6:30pm local time and made landfall across the southern coast from Cox's Bazaar to Satkhira. As the storm moved north into central Bangladesh it was downgraded to a Category 2 tropical storm.
The cyclone has affected 3.2 million people and latest reports from the Government of Bangladesh indicate that more than 2300 people have died. Thousands are missing and injured, a number likely to increase substantially.
Bangladeshi authorities are to be commended for minimising the human impact by evacuating 3.2 million vulnerable people in preparation for the storm. The government also mobilised some 40,000 emergency staff to the affected areas.
Cyclone Sidr comes after months of repeated floods resulting from one of the worst monsoon seasons that Bangladesh has experienced in years.
Australian Government assistance
Australia has announced it will provide $3 million for Cyclone Sidr relief efforts in Bangladesh.
Australia, through our international aid agency, AusAID, is contributing:
- $1 million to support the efforts of Australian NGOs working in Bangladesh to help with the provision of safe water and sanitation facilities and non food items, including clothes, tarpaulins and emergency shelters;
- $1 million through the World Food Programme (WFP) to meet immediate food needs and support recovery programs; and
- $1 million through the IFRC to support Bangladesh Red Crescent Society relief efforts, including basic health care and emergency sanitation and hygiene.
Australia will continue to closely monitor emergency needs across the affected areas and stands ready to provide further assistance if required. We will coordinate our efforts with other international donors and agencies.
See also media release: Aid Relief to Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea
How you can help
For more information on how you can help see Australian Council for International Development