Emergency appeals

World Vision's Immediate Response
Long Term Recovery
Children sponsored by Australians
Media Releases and past updates
Bangladesh Cyclone: In Pictures
Bangladesh Cyclone: Their Stories

Bangladesh Cyclone

On 15 November, 2007 Cyclone Sidr devastated the coast and inland areas of southern Bangladesh, killing over 3,000 people, injuring 40,000 and leaving two million people in need of urgent life-saving assistance.

With homes destroyed, farms reduced to rubble and livestock killed, entire villages lost their food sources and livelihoods. Families lost loved ones and whatever few possessions they owned.

World Vision's Immediate Response

World Vision has been working in Bangladesh since 1970. Our operations on the ground enabled us to respond immediately to communities devastated by Cyclone Sidr. Our immediate response included:

• Facilitating the evacuation of 20,000 people to 13 cyclone shelters and 20 school disaster shelters before the cyclone hit coastal areas
• Distribution of food relief packages to 20,000 families. The packages included rice, potatoes, pulses, sugar, oil and salt
• Provision of non-food items including blankets, mattresses, clothing, oral re-hydration salts and candles
• Establishment of Child Friendly Spaces
• Provision of temporary shelter for 64,625 people, thanks to funding assistance from the Australian Government
• Distribution of three water purifying units and 2,400 jerry cans

Long Term Recovery

Thanks to the generous support of the Australian public, World Vision was able to respond immediately to this disaster and we will continue to work with communities through medium to long term livelihood recovery activities.

Until the end of February 2008, our relief teams will concentrate their efforts on repairs of water points, assistance with restoring crops, fishing and livestock activities, distribution of building materials and support to rebuild infrastructure such as marketplaces.

Nine child-friendly spaces have been established now and will continue to operate in cyclone-affected communities, providing a safe place for children to play and learn while their parents involve themselves in rebuilding or local World Vision cash-for-work initiatives.

World Vision is also working with the World Food Programme to distribute food to help to support almost 50,000 people over the next three months in cyclone-affected areas of the Satkhira district. The food distributions contain rice, pulses, salt, peas and high energy biscuits.

Following the medium term response World Vision will work on long-term activities including economic livelihood recovery, working with communities on preparedness for future disasters and our ongoing development work.

Children sponsored by Australians

One Australian-supported project was affected by the cyclone, the Muksudpur area development project. A seven-day survival kit of food and non-food items was provided to families most in need of assistance in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone.

Children have returned to school and while life is returning to normal, it will take a long time for the community to recover from the impact of the cyclone. World Vision will continue to work with the communities on livelihood recovery activities.

Media Releases and past updates

Aid for victims of Bangladesh cyclone
17 November 2007

World Vision launches urgent appeal for Bangladesh cyclone victims
19 November 2007

Bangladesh Cyclone: In Pictures
Bangladesh Cyclone: Their Stories