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Humanitarian situation

In southern Bangladesh, the Aila cyclone left a trail of devastation.

The cyclone AILA, Category I, hit the Western coast of Bangladesh on May 25th 2009. Heavy rains combined with high tides created a storm surge. 14 districts, mainly coastal areas were affected by the cyclone. 190 persons were reported dead and 7,103 injured. While the death toll remained limited due to the increasingly effective early warning system, the material damages were extensive: 500,000 houses were destroyed, 1,400 km of embankments and 8,800 km of road were damaged; 350,000 acres of lands were flooded by salty water during the harvesting season.

Due to flooding, approximately 500,000 persons were displaced, either seeking refuge in the scarce cyclone shelters or on the embankments. One year later, embankment repair is progressing very slowly; some villages and some agricultural lands remain under water. Thousands of families are living on the embankments in makeshift shelters surrounded by water. Walking to fetch drinking water and looking for food is a daily challenge for these families.

Working in Mathbaria, Pirojpur district, when Aila cyclone occurred, SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL was quick to react to restore safe drinking water access in the area. 150 ponds have been cleaned, 120 tube wells have been disinfected and 22 000 water treatment kits have been distributed.

Since January 2010, SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL continues to assist the populations worst affected by AILA in Satkhira and Khulna district with shelter construction and rehabilitation, water and sanitation access. SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL aims to support both the returning families and the displaced families who are waiting desperately for the embankment repair.