19 November 2007

ActionAid is launching a €1M (£715,000) appeal following the death and destruction caused by Cyclone Sidr, which hit Bangladesh on Thursday night (15 November).

Along the Bangladesh coast, millions of women, men and children have seen their crops and homes destroyed, and have nothing to live on for the foreseeable future. Bangladesh is also less able to deal with this crisis as it is still reeling from the effects of recent flooding, following the worst monsoon rains in living memory.

ActionAid has started an immediate relief operation working with local organisations to distribute dry food, clothes and water purifying tablets to those most in need as well as setting up kitchens delivering hot cooked food.

The charity will also be working towards longer term rehabilitation, helping communities to rebuild and restock. As well as causing over 3000 human deaths, the cyclone killed 240,000 livestock. At least 345,000 trees were uprooted and crops were completely destroyed over thousands of acres.

Richard Miller, ActionAid’s UK Director said: “This is a major disaster and children are as ever the most vulnerable. Not only have they lost homes and parents but they are always more prone to diseases such as cholera. They need help now.”

He added: “The suffering of the Bangladeshi people will continue once the immediate relief effort is over. That’s why ActionAid prepares for disasters such as this, why we are there now, and why we will continue to be there for as long as we are needed, helping people rebuild their lives.”

ActionAid is a member of the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee.

Donate NOW online through ActionAid, the Disasters Emergency Committee or call 0870 60 60 900.