Cyclone-hit people in dire need of food, pure water, clothes

---

Amidst scrambles for food, scarcity of pure water and spread of skin diseases in the cyclone-hit coastal districts, the current relief operation is expected to be intensified with the pressing of US helicopters into operation and availability of more relief goods from abroad, reports UNB.
Cyclone Sidr that devastated 15 coastal districts on November 15 left 3199 people dead and millions homeless. Some 1828 people were still missing after eight days of the deadly cyclone. But, the unofficial counts of both dead and missing are much higher.
Reports from the worst-hit villages and unions say water in ponds and canals have been contaminated resulting in perishing of fishes and spreading of skin diseases. And the threat of an outbreak of diarrhoea also looms large due to the lack of safe drinking water.
Army helicopters and cargo planes Friday airlifted 65.2 tons of relief items for the affected people, an army spokesman told reporters at a regular briefing.
Army Chief General Moeen said foods will be reached to every affected union and house, kindling a hope that victims would be provided with food, water, clothes and milk powder as emergency supplies.
US has already provided 10 water purification plants to supply safe drinking water. Army water purification plants have also been pressed into operation.
India today dispatched its second aircraft with 39.5 tons of relief items, including ready foods and medicines. Another aircraft from New Delhi will arrive tomorrow. Pakistan has already sent C-130 aircraft with relief goods and medical facilities for the victims. Another two C-130 aircraft with a 30-bed mobile military hospital will reach here today (Saturday) from Pakistan.
'USS Kearsarge', a US amphibious assault ship, arrived in Chittagong Thursday while another US ship, 'USS Essex', arrives tomorrow (Saturday) as part of their planned relief operations.
The US Navy ships are carrying helicopters, hovercraft and equipped with hospital facilities.
The US helicopters will airlift relief goods from Dhaka and Chittagong, and drop those in Barisal from where the foods will be taken to the affected areas.
General Moeen said a Joint Force Headquarters office has been set up in Barisal town from where relief works will be coordinated.
UNB correspondents from coastal districts say people of the coastal area usually hold fresh water in ponds during the rainy season so that they can use it for the rest of the year.
"But this time, water in all the ponds and reservoirs has been contaminated as 15-17 feet high storm surge rolled over the areas during the cyclone," a resident of Sharankhola upazila told UNB. Bagerhat correspondent.
Besides, tube-wells, another source of drinking water, where surface water is salty have also been damaged during the cyclone.
Waterborne diseases are spreading fast throughout the coastal belt as people are forced to drink contaminated water.
Relief workers cannot supply adequate water to the affected people, according to local people.
Army personnel have installed a water plant in Sharankhola upazila headquarters to provide water to the affected people. But this can supply water in the upazila headquarters only.
Medical camps of army, NGOs, Navy and Coastguard members are providing medical treatment to the affected people suffering from waterborne and other diseases.