Highlights
On 21 May, cyclone Roanu made landfall in the Southern coastal areas of Bangladesh affecting 700,000 people.
Immediate needs for the affected population are food, water, shelter and livelihood. Government is distributing food and will provide small cash grants shortly.
The Government of Bangladesh has officially asked for support from the international community and clusters have been activated.
A Joint Needs Assessment was triggered in less than 24 hours.
Findings will be presented at Humanitarian Coordination Task Team on May 26.By 30 May, a Joint Response Plan will be released seeking funds to allow UNICEF and other partners to support and complement government’s relief efforts.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
On 21 May, Tropical Cyclone Roanu made landfall in the coast of Southern Bangladesh forcing half a million people to flee their homes and leaving 24 people dead. Torrential rains, floods and landslides disrupted power and road communications and damaged infrastructure. At least 15 districts are affected, with Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, Lakshimpur, Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali among the worst affected.
Rapid damage assessments by the national authorities estimate that 139,852 households representing 700,000 people are affected. 83,978 houses are fully or partially damaged. Some villages have reported a lack of drinking water. Some tube well and latrines are reported damaged hence a risk that flooding has contaminated ground water, heightening the likelihood of disease outbreaks. Food supplies worth US$12.5 million were damaged. Up to 5,000 people in Shashinganj and Mahajankanda villages in the Tajumuddin upazila of Bhola are reportedly without food supplies.
Many schools have been closed as they are being used for shelter. Some schools, in particular those from Char areas, have been damaged due to water logging. Around 500 high school students in Shashinganj and Mahajankanda villages in the Tajumuddin upazila of Bhola have reportedly lost textbooks and school materials. Precise information will be available upon completion of Joint Needs Assessments.