Cyclone losses surpass early estimates: UN
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
The United Nations (UN) said, the humanitarian crisis caused by the last month's cyclone in Bangladesh was much worse than previously thought, with more than two million people in need of immediate life-saving assistance, reports bdnews24.com.
"As more information becomes available, an even grimmer reality is being revealed," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement released in Dhaka Tuesday.
About 2.6 million Bangladeshis across nine districts needed emergency assistance, and the total number of people affected by the cyclone was around 8.5 million, 1.5 million more than initially thought, the statement said.
Cyclone 'Sidr' hit the country on November 15 with winds of 155 mph (250 kph) and 5-foot tidal surge. The confirmed death toll has increased slightly to 3,268, the number of people considered missing is 872, and the number of injured has been revised upward by 5,000 to nearly 40,000.
Damage to property is also more severe than first reported. Nearly 5,64,000 houses have been completely destroyed, 2,00,000 more than initially estimated, the UN statement said. Another 8,85,280 houses have also been damaged.
The UN said, livestock losses numbered at least 1.25 million, more than double of an initial estimate, and the estimated area of cropland damaged had risen to 2.0 million acres. Food, shelter and cash were the three greatest needs in terms of emergency assistance, the UN said, but sanitation, drinking water, electricity and livelihood assistance are also critical.
So far the UN Central Emergency Response Fund has disbursed $14.7 million for relief efforts in the worst affected areas, while international donors have contributed more than $143 million.
"As assessments are ongoing, additional funds might be required in order to provide comprehensive humanitarian assistance to populations affected by the storm, especially as new needs continue to be identified," the statement said.
Bangladesh has asked the international community for $1.0 billion to rebuild the impoverished country's south-western coastal areas.
"As many as eight million face the bleak prospect of destitution," Fakhruddin Ahmed, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, told the donors, adding that his government had mobilised all possible resources to help those in need.
"As more information becomes available, an even grimmer reality is being revealed," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement released in Dhaka Tuesday.
About 2.6 million Bangladeshis across nine districts needed emergency assistance, and the total number of people affected by the cyclone was around 8.5 million, 1.5 million more than initially thought, the statement said.
Cyclone 'Sidr' hit the country on November 15 with winds of 155 mph (250 kph) and 5-foot tidal surge. The confirmed death toll has increased slightly to 3,268, the number of people considered missing is 872, and the number of injured has been revised upward by 5,000 to nearly 40,000.
Damage to property is also more severe than first reported. Nearly 5,64,000 houses have been completely destroyed, 2,00,000 more than initially estimated, the UN statement said. Another 8,85,280 houses have also been damaged.
The UN said, livestock losses numbered at least 1.25 million, more than double of an initial estimate, and the estimated area of cropland damaged had risen to 2.0 million acres. Food, shelter and cash were the three greatest needs in terms of emergency assistance, the UN said, but sanitation, drinking water, electricity and livelihood assistance are also critical.
So far the UN Central Emergency Response Fund has disbursed $14.7 million for relief efforts in the worst affected areas, while international donors have contributed more than $143 million.
"As assessments are ongoing, additional funds might be required in order to provide comprehensive humanitarian assistance to populations affected by the storm, especially as new needs continue to be identified," the statement said.
Bangladesh has asked the international community for $1.0 billion to rebuild the impoverished country's south-western coastal areas.
"As many as eight million face the bleak prospect of destitution," Fakhruddin Ahmed, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, told the donors, adding that his government had mobilised all possible resources to help those in need.