Home  »  Campaigns  »  Recovering From Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh

Cyclone Sidr, called “the deadliest storm to hit the country in over a decade,” devastated the south western coastal belt of Bangladesh, claiming over 3,300 lives and affecting close to 9 million people across 30 districts. The government of Bangladesh is asking for $2.2 billion in assistance to provide recovery and relief for cyclone victims.

The category 4 storm hit the Bangladesh coast around midnight on Thursday, Nov.15th, damaging communication systems, infrastructure, transport systems and the economy. The storm caused damage to over 1.5 million homes, affected over 13,000 educational institutions, washed away around 2.5 million acres of crops, destroyed over 4 million trees, and left 1.5 million livestock dead.

Apart from the immediate destructive effects, the fallout from Cyclone Sidr is expected to bear heavily on the country for the next four to five years. The destruction of agricultural activities, which formed the life blood of those in the affected areas, will force a severe shortage in food availability.

The victims of the cyclone need your urgent help. Please donate now to help those affected.

With offices already established in Bangladesh, Islamic Relief was one of the first aid agencies to respond to the crisis. Before the cyclone struck, Islamic Relief issued an early warning for surrounding communities and relief workers assisted in evacuations to cyclone shelters. After the cyclone hit, Islamic Relief immediately began conducting needs assessments and distributing emergency aid to victims.

Islamic Relief ’s emergency aid effort includes a two-phase response. Phase 1 includes $7.5 million in emergency assistance. Over 60,200 families across the districts of Bagerhat, Patuakhali, Chandpur, and Jhalokhati have already benefitted from Islamic Relief ’s emergency aid. These families have received precooked rice, molasses, candles, matches, and salt. In addition, more than 2,700 persons across Bagerhat and Patuakhali have received medical assistance from Islamic Relief ’s teams.

Phase 2 includes a $3.9 million appeal for long-term recovery. Because Cyclone Sidr destroyed much of the infrastructure in Bangladesh, long-term recovery is vital for survivors. Phase 2 of Islamic Relief ’s response will support up to 10,000 families for 1-2 years with multi-purpose cyclone shelter, livelihoods recovery, child welfare and orphan sponsorships, psychosocial support, reforestation, water and sanitation, educational institutions, and integration of disaster risk reduction with community capacity building.

Islamic Relief has been working in Bangladesh since 1991, initially providing emergency relief to victims of a tropical cyclone. Since then, Islamic Relief has responded to both emergency and long-term development needs and has established a variety of projects and programs including an orphan sponsorship program, mother and child healthcare, vocational training and water and sanitation programs.

Islamic Relief Aid Efforts in Bangladesh.

Islamic Relief has been working in Bangladesh since 1991, initially providing emergency relief to victims of a tropical cyclone. Since then, Islamic Relief has responded to both emergency and long-term development needs and has established a variety of projects and programs including an Orphan sponsorship Program, Mother and Child Healthcare, Vocational Training and Water and Sanitation programs.

The victims of the cyclone need your urgent help. Please donate now to help those affected.