Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dacca (Agenzia Fides) -Bangladesh has called on the international community to send 500,000 tons of rice and grain to feed thousands of people affected by cyclone Sidr, which destroyed harvests, caused more than 4.000 deaths and affected millions of people in this country with a population of 150 million.
This is the second catastrophe which has hit the country after the devastating floods in July.
Since the government cannot guarantee sufficient production of food it has asked humanitarian organisations to help. At present 700.000 tons of flour are available but one million tons are needed to cover the expected deficit.
Many countries, international institutions and NGOs have joined in relief work in the south of Bangladesh, but tens of thousands of people are still without food.
UNICEF said it will start distributing high-calorie biscuits and first aid kits in affected areas, to help young children, pregnant mothers and breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF says over one million homes and 3,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed. Economists fear the country may suffer serious food shortage since the floods and cyclone destroyed harvests and crops.
Zaid Bakht, research director at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Research warned that the situation will get worse unless immediate measures for food security are taken.
The International Organisations Red Cross and Red Crescent have promised clothing, water, sanitation services and emergency aid kits. Winter is coming and if they are to survive, homeless families need material and technical support to build shelters. (AP) (5/12/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:31; Parole:349)
