Just over 5 months have passed since Cyclone “Aila” hit Bangladesh( 25 May 2009) but sufferings still continuing in the severely affected districts of Khulna and Shatkhira where more than 201,982 displaced people (70% of severely affected people) are still living in temporary places and shlters. According to the government estimate 1149 million US dollars is needed to assist in the recovery and reconstruction after Cyclone Aila. In addition to the government’s allocation, international humanitarian agencies have only contributed 20 million US dollars (as of 31 Oct’09). According to a recent (Oct’09) study done by the South Asia Association of Poverty Eradication, each affected household has seen their income decrease by approximately 44% as a result of Cyclone Aila. More than 60,000 people have migrated to search employment, as opportunities for income are very limited in the affected areas. Cyclone Aila fully or partially damaged more than 166 km coastal embankment and without repairing the broken embankments, livelihood recovery and people returning to their homes is not possible.

Conducted by International agencies (ActionAid, Concern WorldWide, DanChurchAid, MuslimAid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam-GB and Save the Children-UK) currently involved in Aila response programme funded by ECHO.

Office
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/

Citation
ECHO Partners (2009), In-depth Recovery Needs Assessment of Cyclone Aila Affected Areas