UN bodies, European Union and NGOs yesterday disbursed emergency relief aid and started distributing relief materials among the victims of cyclone Sidr that battered the southern part of the country.
European Commission in Brussels said it disbursed 1.5 million euros (US$2.2 million) in emergency relief aid to Bangladesh.
“Preliminary indications are that the most pressing needs will be food, safe drinking water, emergency shelter, clothing, blankets and medicine,” Commission spokesman John Clancy told the journalists, reported AFP.
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in a statement released in Dhaka said it started distributing 98 metric tons of ready food from its emergency hub to feed 400,000 victims of the cyclone that left thousands of people homeless.
“We have to move as quickly as possible to provide food to the most vulnerable," said WFP Representative Douglas Broderick.
"People's life and health cannot be endangered. We all should come forward to save lives first. Dry food like high energy biscuits (HEB) will be very useful, specially these days when there is a scarcity of potable water for drinking and cooking."
WFP's food distribution programme for the affected coastal districts is part of a major effort to feed the cyclone-affected people for three days. Food is being distributed in several affected districts by UN staff, government officials, and NGO representatives.
WFP and UNICEF have extensive presence in the affected districts including Jessore and Cox's Bazar providing assistance to the cyclone victims in coordination with other organisations.
Raphael Palma, communications manager of World Vision Bangladesh told The Daily Star that they distributed flattened rice and sugar among 500 affected families in Mongla.
World Vision Bangladesh, Caritas Bangladesh, Rupantor and Seba held meetings with the thana nirbahi officer (TNO) at Mongla to determine strategies for the relief and rehabilitation operation for the affected people, he said.
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