Kuala Lumpur, 7 December 2007 – Cyclone Sidr which hit southern and south-western coastal areas of Bangladesh’s on 15 November 2007 claiming 3268 lives, 40,000 injured and 8.5 million people affected.

In response to this disaster, a Rapid Assessment Team of MERCY Malaysia left for Bangladesh on 19th November 2007 at 9.05pm. An initial assessment to the cyclone affected districts reaffirmed the need for clean water and sanitation facilities to curb the outbreak of water-borne diseases.  Diarrhoeal illnesses were frequently encountered in many of the villages surveyed.

On 26 November 2007, 70,000 water-purifying tablets were distributed to 5638 families with our local partner, Dhaka Community Hospital which operates health camps in remote villages in the districts of Barguna, Bergahat and Pathuakali.

Three medical teams have been visiting 10 remote villages in the districts of Barguna and Pirojpur since 29 November 2007. Each medical team has been visiting one village each day. Activities organized included counseling, hygiene education and home visits by paramedics and local volunteers.

MERCY Malaysia is working in partnership with Dhaka Community Hospital, Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre and DUS in Bangladesh. MERCY Malaysia is urgently implementing water sanitation and hygiene projects estimated to cost RM 630,000. MERCY Malaysia is appealing for donations from the public to assist the survivors of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh.