Cyclone Sidr (Category IV) hit Bangladesh on the evening of 15 November. The cyclone struck offshore islands at 1830 hours and made landfall across the southern coast from Cox's Bazaar in the east toward the Satkhira districts in the west at 2030 hours local time, with wind speeds of up to 240 kilometres per hour. More than 4 million people in 30 southern districts were affected by the cyclonic storms. On the basis of early assessment data, priority needs include food, clean water supply, diarrhoea treatment and shelter assistance.

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CERF allocates US$ 1 million to those affected by the rodent crisis in Bangladesh

Food rations are assisting people people affected by the rodent crisis [Photo: WFP]

21 April 2008: The Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh is facing food insecurity due to a recent rodent infestation which has destroyed a significant portion of the regions food crops. Over 128,000 individuals in the Bandarban, Khagrachari, and Rangamati districts are affected. Furthermore, the next crops will not be planted until August or September and the five month gap in food production is creating a severe food shortage and a need for life-saving food intervention.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is using CERF funds to provide food rations to 128,000 people. With the aim of alleviating household food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition among the affect population, WFP is purchasing rice and other food commodities and working with local NGOs to distribute the food from distribution centres.

[Last Update: 9 May 2008]

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CERF in Bangladesh 2007