DHAKA, Bangladesh (May 29, 2009)—World Vision is providing clean water and food to thousands of families and children affected by Cyclone Aila that swept through southern Bangladesh earlier this week.

"People are sleeping under the open sky with no shelter. They’re on high grounds and wherever they can find dry land," said John Gomes, World Vision's communication officer in Bangladesh.
“There has also been significant damage to infrastructure. Embankments and roads have been damaged and thousands of mud-built houses have collapsed or washed away.”

The cyclone brought with it a storm surge, inundating large swathes of land while rain and high winds damaged and destroyed thousands of homes. According to official estimates, more than 130 people were killed and around 3.5 million people affected from the cyclone.

World Vision has begun distributing rice and filtered water to almost 80,000 affected people that it plans to help. The relief, development and advocacy organization is also concerned about the threat of waterborne illnesses which can easily spread in areas with stagnant water or in dense populations without proper sanitation.

"Our staff are providing clean water and sanitation supplies to try and stave off disease," Gomes said.
 
The organization has also installed a water purification unit in the seaport of Mongla which has provided 22,000 liters of clean water to 16,000 families. Two other units will be installed shortly in Assasuni and the severely-affected Shyamnagar sub-district in Satkhira. World Vision is working hand-in-hand with the local government administration and fire brigade to help distribute additional drinking water and relief supplies to the affected people in the remote areas of Mongla.

Nearly 80,000 acres of crops were destroyed and 270,000 homes damaged or swept away by the eight-foot storm surge which tore through coastal districts. World Vision's disaster response teams helped evacuate thousands of people to 15 school-cyclone shelters, each one accommodating up to 2,000 people.

In neighbouring India, 68 people were killed by heavy rains that caused deadly mudslides and slowed rescue efforts. World Vision has been conducting assessments in West Bengal to determine the greatest needs. Some houses in Kolkata had collapsed and aid was being provided out of emergency relief funds. The organization has pre-positioning units—two based near Kolkata—stocked with emergency items that are ready to go if needed.

After Cyclone Sidr devastated the coastal districts of Bangladesh in 2007, World Vision provided emergency supplies to more than 100,000 people. World Vision has been active in Bangladesh since 1972 and helps about four million people with relief and development.

World Vision donors support more than 151,220 children in Bangladesh, including 17,150 children sponsored by Canadians.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

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To interview World Vision staff, please contact:

Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext. 2151
416-671-0086 (cell)
yoko_kobayashi@WorldVision.ca

Alex Sancton
905-565-6200 ext. 3949
416-419-1321 (cell)
alex_sancton@WorldVision.ca