Operational Summary
17-19 May 2016: Cyclone Roanu originated from a low pressure area that formed south of Sri Lanka, and gradually drifted north towards the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and intensified into a cyclonic storm. The BDRCS mobilized volunteers to provide immediate assistance, including evacuation services.
20 May 2016: The government in consultation with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department had advised to hoist the danger signal number SEVEN for fourteen districts. BDRCS prepositioned two trucks loaded with emergency Shelter materials (tarpaulin) and water jerry cans in two strategic districts for potential distribution based on the need.
21 May: The cyclone made landfall in the afternoon in the southern coastal region of Bangladesh. An update entry made on DMIS and an information bulletin published. BDRCS National Disaster Response Team (NDRT) members together with district branches took part in rescue operations and also collected first-hand information within 12 hours’ time and the NS designed response strategy accordingly. Over 500,000 people evacuated to safer shelters by the cyclone preparedness program (CPP) volunteers. The Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) had called an urgent coordination meeting on 21 May, along with the activation of the Shelter cluster and Early Recovery cluster on the same day. IFRC acted as a convenor for the shelter cluster with co-lead from UNDP.
22 May: BDRCS activated its cyclone contingency plan and opened a control rook in the NHQ. District branches provided dry and cooked food into the cyclone shelters from the local resources. A Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) was organized by the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) on 22 May in the most affected districts. RCRC movement was also part of the JNA.
24 May: CHF 244,476 allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Emergency Relief Fund (DREF) to support BDRCS in addressing the immediate needs of up to 25,000 people. BDRCS distributed emergency shelter materials on the same day in one district.
25 May: At least seven coastal districts were badly affected - Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Bhola, Barguna, Lakshmipur, Noakhali and Patuakhali. 1.3 million people affected and 27 people confirmed dead.1 More than 75,000 houses damaged or destroyed.
26 May: BDRCS mobilized resources in six districts to support 3,000 families in terms of shelter materials and cash for immediate food and household needs.
31 May: BDRCS launched national appeal to support 100,000 people affected by Cyclone Roanu.
1 June: HCTT released its 1st Situation report with the focus on Joint response strategy.
2 June: Emergency Appeal launched for CHF 2,031,716 to support BDRCS to scale-up the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 55,000 people.
7 June: Teleconference with partners on cyclone Roanu.
9 June: IFRC publishes web stories highlighting the daily struggle of affected families in the coast.
12 June: BDRCS reached 15,000 people with emergency shelter items and cash grants. A further 3,000 people have received clean drinking water, while 1,000 have been treated by Red Crescent mobile health teams.