UN Response
The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has authorized US$14.7 million in support of life-saving relief assistance to Bangladesh . Read more on the CERF allocation.
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| [Photo: WFP] |
Due to the rapid response from the CERF, the World Food Programme (WFP), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will be able to expedite emergency relief in food and nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation, and agriculture.
WFP states that together with the Bangladesh Air Force helicopter airdrops have made possible the delivery of high energy biscuits to people in inaccessible areas. WFP was able to deliver food within hours of the cyclone hitting Bangladesh, thanks to the pre-positioned stocks ahead of the first storm warnings. (Read more on WFP activities in Bangladesh).
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| [Photo: WHO] |
UNICEF is on the ground assisting the affected population with the distribution of water, dry food and medicines, as well as family kits with essential items.
WHO reports that water and food borne diseases may increase due to lack of safe water supply and poor sanitation, and that training for personal hygiene, traumatic counseling, and psycho-social support services are urgently needed.
A rapid initial UN emergency assessment team was fielded on 17 November to assess both the needs and damages in 9 of the worst affected districts. [read UN Rapid Initial Assessment Report] Approximately 4.7 million people in these worst stricken districts were affected and a further 2.6 million people, most of them the poorest of the poor, are in need of immediate life and livelihoods saving relief assistance. Food, shelter and cash have been identified by the most recent UN assessments as the three highest priority areas for immediate assistance. Sanitation, drinking water, electricity, livelihood assistance and early recovery are also urgently needed.
The UN Assessment teams are working closely with the Government of Bangladesh officials and staff, throughout the assessment exercise. In addition to the United Nations Central Emergency Reponse Fund (CERF) disbursal, international donors have, to date, generously contributed over US$143 million towards relief and recovery activities in Bangladesh. Their contribution is a major asset for the assessment teams. Nevertheless, as greater accessiblity to the affected areas is achieved and on-going assessments are made, additional funds may be vital to provide full humanitarian assistance.
[Last Update: 03 December 2007]