Monday, June 9, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Post cyclone relief and rebuilding for the affected families in Bangladesh
Post cyclone relief and rebuilding for the affected families in Bangladesh
Following the relief operations in the SIdr affected areas, Concern Worldwide with its partners SANGRAM and SPEED TRUST has started a 6-month rehabilitation project (February – July 08) which will benefit 14,550 families in 7 upazilas of Barguna and Patuakhali districts. This project is being funded by ECHO and will provide rehabilitation support to the extreme poor people through housing, sanitation and drinking water to cope and recover their normal lives as well as scope to pursue income generation. The project will:
- reconstruct houses and install sanitary latrines for 3,000 families
- offer casual labour for 2,500 families whereby a source of income will be generated
- 50 fishermen will be given boats and other equipments (nets, engine).
- clean and desalinate 500 ponds, repair/reconstruct 100 Pond Sand Filter (PSF), and install 75 deep tube wells
The target beneficiaries of the project are poor and vulnerable families, who have been severely affected by the Tropical cyclone living in rural communities, with a focus on landless people, day labourers, and socially vulnerable people (e.g. female-headed households, disabled people, elderly people and ethnic minority groups). Most families have now returned to their homes. The tropical cyclone has adversely affected the life and livelihoods of these people causing both mental and physical strain as a result of the damage inflicted.
Post flood rehabilitation for the affected families in Bangladesh
After two consecutive and devastating floods in 2007, Concern Worldwide with 12 partner organisations has started a 8-month rehabilitation (February – September 2008) for 29,600 affected families in 16 upazilas of 10 districts. The project funded by ECHO aims to provide rehabilitation support to the extreme poor and marginal farmers through employment opportunities, agricultural support, housing and sanitation to cope and recover their livelihoods. The project will:
- provide employment for 9,000 families for 45 days through earth raising activities
- raise grounds of 45 schools and flood shelters and homesteads of 3,000 (app) families
- provide a packet of vegetable seeds for 29,600 families for homestead gardening.
- Give Tk 500 as cash grant to 19,000 farmer families to purchase fertilizer and arrange irrigation
- Reconstruct homes and install sanitary latrines for 1,600 families
The families to be supported by this project live in remote rural areas in the northern and central parts of Bangladesh and are extreme poor and marginalised farmers severely affected by the flood and lost their assets and livelihood options. It is estimated that a total of 29,600 families with a population of 148,000 would be supported by the proposed rehabilitation interventions. Among the targeted families, 19,000 families would be supported with vegetable seeds and cash grant for cultivation; 9,000 families (one person from each family) with cash-for-work and 1,600 families with house re-construction.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Bangladesh Emergency Update
January 2008The Disaster and Environment Management Unit (DEMU) of Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh has two complementary projects: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Preparedness for Effective Emergency Response (PEER). Under the emergency context, both the actions work towards a similar vision. DRR basically builds up the preparatory capacities on disaster risk management of the local institutions and community groups at selected geographical regions prone to natural disasters while PEER enhances relief and rehabilitation management and response capacity of 35 selected NGOs situated in the disaster prone areas all over the country. However, in case of emergencies, the unit takes on the lead role at organizational and field level.
DRR (October 2006 - September 2010) works in partnership with 8 local NGOs to deliver community based initiatives in disaster risk reduction.
The PEER project (July 2006 – June 2009) started with Concern GD funding and the PEER interventions facilitated by Concern for its partners have been important in ensuring the preparation for the emergencies in 2007 and also in the implementation of following relief operations. In addition to Concern GD funding, funding from DIPECHO has secured for period of 15 months starting October 2007, this funding will enable more effective implementation of PEER activities.
Emergencies in 2007
2007 has been a significant year for natural disasters in Bangladesh. The country has so far experienced several natural emergencies this year. These are:
Cold wave – During December 06-January 07 Bangladesh experienced a severe cold wave affecting mainly the northern districts of Thakurgaon, Sherpur and Nilphamari. The lowest temperature was recorded 5˚C on January 4, 2007 (the Daily Star), the lowest reported in the last 38 years (2.8˚C recorded in 1968). 118 death cases were reported and in response to the government’s appeal, Concern initiated a warm clothing distribution programme to support 13,421 extreme poor families living within Concern’s target locations. The response was carried out between 12th and 20th January ’07.
Mud-slide and flash-floods - Due to torrential rainfall for over a week, the hilly regions of Chittagong district, SE Bangladesh were badly affected by water-logging and mud slides. 128 fatalities were reported as a result of the mudslides and over 4000 families living in shanties were affected by flooding. Concern, through a local partner organisation Nishkriti, distributed relief materials which included food and non food items to 4,000 extremely poor and affected families.
Seasonal floods – In-country heavy rainfall and excessive water flow from upstream in India and Nepal caused devastating flooding and affected millions of people. These floods occurred in two spells between July and September, flooding areas around the Brahmaputra, Jamuna and Padma basins, affecting over 12 million people in 43 districts. The death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases reached 916 since flooding commenced in July. The damage to agriculture, infrastructure and local resources has impacted on the livelihoods of the poorest families. The second spell destroyed the attempt made by many poor farmers to recover their losses through replanting their crops. The poorest and vulnerable communities became more vulnerable as the floods ruined their agriculture, infrastructure, local resources and livelihood options. Concern’s emergency intervention included a search and rescue operation, dry-food distribution, and other food and non-food relief distributions for 69,500 families. Concern aims to implement a rehabilitation phase starting January 2008 for 26,000 extreme poor families most affected by the floods.
Tropical Cyclone - A tropical cyclone - Sidr on the 15th November caused widespread devastation through the south western coast demolishing houses, crops, and livestock over thousands of square kilometres. According to government updates, the body count of dead is 3,347. It has been unofficially forecast that the dead and missing may be over 10,000. Over 8 million people of over 2 million families have been affected in 200 sub-districts. Over 3 million houses have been totally destroyed, 6 million houses partially damaged and at least 1475 tube-wells damaged. More than 8000 educational institutions have been destroyed. The education sector has been hard hit and academic activities of around 10,000 institutions have been badly set back.
The overall objective of the emergency operations is to contribute to the coping capacity and improvement of the livelihood security (food, shelter and health) of the poorest and vulnerable people affected by the natural disasters and environmental hazards in Bangladesh. Throughout all the responses Concern maintained links with the local govt and non-govt agencies at sub-district, district and national level during operational planning, progress review meetings and other relevant administrative mechanisms.
Emergency coverage: types of programmes & beneficiaries
Financial Summary
Monday, December 3, 2007
Bangladesh Cyclone Sidr Update
3rd December 2007 (updated from 28th Nov 2007)
• The current death toll after Cyclone Sidr has been put at 3,292 by the Disaster Management Bureau. Thousands are still missing and it is unofficially forecasted that the dead and missing will be over 10,000.
• According to government updates, 8 million people of over 2 million families have been affected in 200 upazilas. Over 3 million houses have been totally destroyed and 6 million houses partially damaged, at least 1475 tubewells damaged. Over 8000 educational institutions have completely destroyed.
• Over 2 million acres of crops have been damaged or totally destroyed.
• About a hundred thousand hectares of the Sundarbans forest has been damaged. A potion of this forest that has been totally damaged will not re-grow while the areas partially damaged will re-grow.
• Road communication has improved, however electricity supply has still not been restored. The Rural Electrification board has reported that about 20,000 kms of power supply lines have been damaged.
• Outbreak of different diseases like diarrhoea, respiratory problems, fever and typhoid is spreading in the cyclone hit areas. Diarrhoea is most reported as fresh drinking water is still scarce and ponds and canals are polluted with rotting carcasses of animals.
Narrative
Country Level Update
Cyclone Sidr on the 15th November caused nightmare in Bangladesh. Ripping through the south western coast killing thousands of people, demolishing houses, crops, livestock left a trail of devastation over thousands of square kilometres. The winds reached 240km per hour hitting the coast at 7.30 pm on 15th November and cutting off all communications and utility services across the country.
Despite evacuation of hundreds of people, the country still suffered a high number of deaths. As of 2nd December, the current death toll after Cyclone Sidr has been put at 3,292 and it is unofficially forecasted that the dead and missing will be over 10,000.
According to government updates, over 8 million people of over 2 million families have been affected in 200 upazilas. Over 3 million houses have been totally destroyed, 6 million houses partially damaged and at least 1475 tube-wells damaged. Over 8000 educational institutions have been destroyed. The education sector has been hard hit- academic activities of around 10,000 institutions have been badly damaged.
Dead bodies are still being collected and in many areas mass burials have had to be carried out without proper religious rites. It is reported that there is stench of rotting bodies and animal carcasses in the most hard hit areas. Road communication has improved, however electricity supply has still not been restored. The Rural Electrification board has reported that about 20,000 kms of power supply lines have been damaged.
About a hundred thousand hectares of the Sundarbans forest has been damaged. A portion of this forest that has been totally damaged will not re-grow while the areas partially damaged will re-grow.
Emergency Interventions
The government has so far sanctioned funds of Taka 507 million for housing in the cyclone hit areas, priority is being given to Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barisal, Barguna, Jhalakati, Bhola, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Khulna and Satkhira. The armed forces are working with the government to provide relief for the people, and restore the utilities and communications. In addition to the funds allocated, GOB has also distributed rice, food bags, blankets, tents, utensils and corrugated iron sheets
The international community continues to pledge more aid for the cyclone-hit victims. World Bank alone has promised $250 million in aid. Together with the US Army the Bangladesh Armed forces are working non-stop to deliver relief goods.
Concern Worldwide Response
Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh has deployed Concern staff and partner organisation staff to distribute relief to the affected and extremely poor families, keeping in mind the need to avoid duplication with relief operations by other NGOs.
Concern with funding from ECHO (Euro 580,000), People in Need (€18,000) and Irish Aid (€100,000) started relief operations in Barguna and Patuakhali districts for 26,000 extreme poor families from 24th November and this phase of relief will be completed by 3rd December. It has been estimated that over 250 thousand families have been affected in these two districts. Concern sets priority to assist those families who have the least coping capacity and in areas where the response by other organisations may be limited. The relief package being given includes both food and non-food material. The relief package fixed according to International Sphere Standards will provide food for 15 days for each family. The relief operation will be implemented through three partner organisations – Speed Trust (Patuakhali), Dhaka Ahsania Mission- DAM (Barguna) and Sangram (Barguna). As of 3rd December 07 i.e. today, relief has been completed for 26,000 families (16,000 in Barguna and 10,000 in Patuakhali).
Details of working locations and number of families receiving relief (24 Nov-3 Dec 2007)
Irish Aid has also pledged to give another €150,000 to the cyclone relief activities while Concern will spend €250,000 of its own general donations on cyclone related relief and rehabilitation The planning for this is ongoing and will be finalised this week, due to start on 10th Dec.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Bangladesh Cyclone Sidr Update
25th November 2007 (updated from 22nd Nov 2007)
• The current death toll after Cyclone Sidr has been put at 3,060 by the Disaster Managemnt Bureau. Thousands are still missing and it is unofficially forecasted that the dead and missing will be over 10,000.
• According to government updates, 6.8 million people of over 1.6 million families have been affected in 200 upazilas. Over 3 million houses have been totally destroyed and 6 million houses partially damaged, at least 1475 tubewells damaged. Over 8000 educational institutions have completely destroyed.
• Over 2.6 million hectares of crops have been damaged or totally destroyed.
• About a hundred thousand hectares of the Sundarbans forest has been damaged. A potion of this forest that has been totally damaged will not re-grow while the areas partially damaged will re-grow.
• Road communication has improved.
Narrative
Country Level Update
Cyclone Sidr on the 15th November caused nightmare in Bangladesh. Ripping through the south western coast killing thousands of people, demolishing houses, crops, livestock left a trail of devastation over thousands of square kilometres. The winds reached 240km per hour hitting the coast at 7.30 pm on 15th November and cutting off all communications and utility services across the country.
Despite evacuation of hundreds of people, the country still suffered a high number of deaths. As of 25th November, the current death toll after Cyclone Sidr has been put at 3,060 and it is unofficially forecasted that the dead and missing will be over 10,000.
According to government updates, over 6.8 million people of over 1.6 million families have been affected in 200 upazilas. Over 3 million houses have been totally destroyed, 6 million houses partially damaged and at least at least 1475 tube-wells damaged. Over 8000 educational institutions have been destroyed. The education sector has been hard hit- academic activities of around 10,000 institutions have been badly damaged.
Dead bodies are still being collected and in many areas mass burials have had to be carried out without proper religious rites. It is reported that there is stench of rotting bodies and animal carcasses in the most hard hit areas. Road communication has improved.
About a hundred thousand hectares of the Sundarbans forest has been damaged. A portion of this forest that has been totally damaged will not re-grow while the areas partially damaged will re-grow.
Emergency Interventions
The government has so far sanctioned funds of US$7.1 million for housing in the cyclone hit areas, priority is being given to Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barisal, Barguna, Jhalakati, Bhola, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Khulna and Satkhira. The armed forces are working with the government to provide relief for the people, and restore the utilities and communications. Dry food is being provided, however, many areas are still hard to reach and these people are facing acute crisis of food and fresh drinking water.
The international community continues to pledge more aid for the cyclone-hit victims. World Bank alone has promised $250 million in aid. Most of the small and local NGOs are also mobilising their own resources to do as much as they can for the cyclone victims. For example Concern’s partner organisations such as Sangram and Speed Trust have aided in rescue operations, mobilised local people to take care of mass burials, distributed dry food and other food rations for some families to address immediate food crisis. These small NGOs also arranged for transport of injured persons to nearest places for medical aid.
Concern Worldwide Response
Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh has deployed Concern staff and partner organisation staff to distribute relief to the affected and extremely poor families, keeping in mind the need to avoid duplication with relief operations by other NGOs.
Concern with funding from ECHO (Euro 580,000), People in Need (€18,000) and Irish Aid (€100,000) started relief operations in Barguna and Patuakhali districts for 26,000 extreme poor families from 24th November and this phase of relief will be completed by 29th November. It has been estimated that over 250 thousand families have been affected in these two districts. Concern sets priority to assist those families who have the least coping capacity and in areas where the response by other organisations may be limited. The relief package being given includes both food and non-food material. The relief package fixed according to International Sphere Standards will provide food for 15 days for each family. The relief operation will be implemented through three partner organisations – Speed Trust (Patuakhali) , Dhaka Ahsania Mission- DAM (Barguna) and Sangram (Barguna).
Details of working locations and number of families receiving relief (24-29 Nov 2007)
Irish Aid has also pledged to give another €150,000 to the cyclone relief activities while Concern will spend €250,000 of its own general donations on cyclone related relief and rehabilitation The planning for this is ongoing and will be finalised this week, due to start on 10th Dec.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Bangladesh Cyclone Sidr Update
• The current death toll after Cyclone Sidr has been put at 2982 by the government while the armed forces say it is 3167. Thousands are still missing and it is unofficially forecasted that the dead and missing will be over 10,000.• According to government updates, over 4 million people of over 1.5 million families have been affected in 141 upazilas. Over 3 million houses have been totally destroyed and 6 million houses partially damaged, at least 1475 tubewells damaged. Over 8000 educational institutions have completely destroyed.
• Over 2.6 million hectares of crops have been damaged or totally destroyed.
• About a hundred thousand hectares of the Sundarbans forest has been damaged. A potion of this forest that has been totally damaged will not re-grow while the areas partially damaged will re-grow.
• Road communication is gradually improving. There is shortage of fresh water overall and of food and shelter.
Narrative
Country Level Update
Cyclone Sidr on the 15th November caused nightmare in Bangladesh. Ripping through the south western coast killing thousands of people, demolishing houses, crops, livestock left a trail of devastation over thousands of square kilometres. The winds reached 240km per hour hitting the coast at 7.30 pm on 15th November and cutting off all communications and utility services across the country.
Despite evacuation of hundreds of people, the country still suffered a high number of deaths. As of 22nd November, The current death toll after Cyclone Sidr has been put at 2982 by the government while the armed forces say it is 3167. Thousands are still missing and it is unofficially forecasted that the dead and missing will be over 10,000.
According to government updates, over 4 million people of over 1.5 million families have been affected in 141 upazilas. Over 3 million houses have been totally destroyed, 6 million houses partially damaged and at least at least 1475 tube-wells damaged. Over 8000 educational institutions have been destroyed. Dead bodies are still being collected and in many areas mass burials have had to be carried out without proper religious rites. It is reported that there is stench of rotting bodies and animal carcasses in the most hard hit areas. Road communication is improving. There is shortage of fresh water overall and of food and shelter.
About a hundred thousand hectares of the Sundarbans forest has been damaged. A portion of this forest that has been totally damaged will not re-grow while the areas partially damaged will re-grow.
Emergency Interventions
The government has sanctioned funds for housing in the cyclone hit areas, priority is being given to Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barisal, Barguna, Jhalakati, Bhola, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Khulna and Satkhira. Furthermore the government will be giving VGF cards to 2.5 million families from the 1st of December. Over 730 medical teams are working in these affected areas. The armed forces are working with the government to provide relief for the people, and restore the utilities and communications. Dry food is being provided, however, many areas are still hard to reach and these people are facing acute crisis of food and fresh drinking water.
The international community continues to pledge more aid for the cyclone-hit victims. World Bank alone has promised $250 million in aid. Most of the small and local NGOs are also mobilising their own resources to do as much as they can for the cyclone victims. For example Concern’s partner organisations such as Sangram and Speed Trust have aided in rescue operations, mobilised local people to take care of mass burials, distributed dry food and other food rations for some families to address immediate food crisis. These small NGOs also arranged for transport of injured persons to nearest places for medical aid.
Concern Worldwide Response
Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh has deployed Concern staff and partner organisation staff to assess the extent of the disaster and identify the areas and communities which need help acutely, keeping in mind the need to avoid duplication with relief operations by other NGOs.
Concern with funding from ECHO (Euro 580,000) and Concern General Donations (Euro 116,123) has started relief operations in Barguna and Patuakhali districts for 26,000 extreme poor families. Families have been identified and procurement of goods is on-going. It has been estimated that over 250 thousand families have been affected in these two districts. Concern sets priority to assist those families who have the least coping capacity and in areas where the response by other organisations may be limited. The relief package being given includes both food and non-food material (see details in Map). The relief package fixed according to international Sphere Standards will provide food for 15 days for each family. The relief operation will be implemented through three partner organisations – Speed Trust (Patuakhali) , Dhaka Ahsania Mission- DAM (Barguna) and Sangram (Barguna).
Details of working location and number of families to be covered
Concern has also applied to Irish Aid for Euro 100,000 in funds and is planning another longer term project incorporating both relief and rehabilitation interventions for the cyclone hit families. This proposal will be finalised by Saturday.
