Update

Two weeks after Cyclone Aila devastated communities along the southern coastline of Bangladesh, many families remain in dire need of relief support and face long-term recovery from the effects of the storm.

"The situation is very bad ... And the needs are very desperate due to spreading diarrhea and prolonged water-logging," says Saleh Uddin, Food for the Hungry's disaster preparedness and response coordinator in Bangladesh. "Due to broken dams, tidal water is regularly flowing into the community. This situation will become even more difficult with the onset of the monsoon season, and as another full moon brings higher tides."

Food for the Hungry has distributed 10-liter packs of drinking water to 200 families and provided basic medical treatment to 1,500 people suffering from diarrhea. Other immediate needs such as personal hygiene supplies, latrines and basic health care will be provided as well.

To protect communities from tidal water in the future, community members are working to raise embankments around local ponds through Food for the Hungry's food-for-work program. Also, pumps have been contracted to drain out salt water from ponds, after which water purifcation systems will be installed so that communities will have access to clean water again.

Many families lost their means of income after Cyclone Aila destroyed their crops and wiped out their livestock. Food for the Hungry is working with community leaders and various disaster preparedness committees to identify and help families that desperately need housing and livelihood assistance.

Food for the Hungry is committed to helping families and communities struggling from disasters, poverty, war and injustice get the help they need and experience the love of God in the midst of very difficult circumstances. Click here to help fund Food for the Hungry's ongoing relief and development efforts for the survivors of Cyclone Aila in
Bangladesh.