On the night of 15 November 2007, cyclone SIDR swept over 16 districts of Bangladesh, devastating 710 Unions, 103 Upozillas, killing over 10,000 (Red Cross). Nearly 5 million people and property are severely affected.
Bangladesh government aided by the Armed Forces rushed from the very first day to provide food, water and essentials to the stricken people. Consequently the international community, corporate sector and NGOs have also joined in force. Food, water, shelter and medical assistance are urgently needed at the moment to save lives and prevent disabilities of the affected people.
Plight of Disabled People: In such emergency situations, persons with disabilities often face extra challenges. At least 500,000 disabled people are affected in the cyclone area. As disabled people have difficulties in moving and communicating, they are excluded even by their families and communities who are in need of help themselves. Other NGOs are not addressing the disabled people but helping their own members.
In such a situation Action on Disability and Development (ADD) has embarked on a prompt campaign “To Reduce Vulnerability of Persons with Disabilities affected by SIDR” to build their confidence and to assist them to start a new life.
ADD’s Relief and Rehabilitation: ADD is an international organization working with around 100 DPOs since 1994 supporting disabled people to promote rights and inclusion in 29 districts of the country. The main objective of ADD’s Relief and Rehabilitation programme is to support the persons with disabilities and their families to reduce their vulnerability to the affects of the cyclone SIDR by providing basic humanitarian assistance such as food, essentials, clothes and cash benefits.
With generous donations from its main donors – British organisation-CAFOD, Dutch organization -CORDAID, German organization-NETZ, ADD-staff and others totaling Tk. 2.23 crores as on date, teams of ADD staff supported by DPO members are already in the worst affected areas of Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Patuakhali and Barguna distributing essential food and non-food items to 6,000 disabled persons. The relief packets comprise rice, dal, suji, sugar, salt, edible oil, candles, matches, ORS, water purifying tablets, saris, lungis, children’s clothing, blankets etc. Some cash benefits are also being given for the treatment and prevention of disability. ADD’s relief efforts are expected to continue till mid-February 2008.
Mosharraf Hossain
Country Director
26th November 2007
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