Marie Stopes Clinic Society (MSCS) is providing relief in the wake of Cyclone Sidr, which battered the southern coast of Bangladesh on 15 November. More than three million people are thought to have been affected, including hundreds of thousands left homeless, while the number of confirmed dead has exceeded 3,000 and is expected to continue to rise.
The scale of devastation is immense, with thirteen districts, mainly in the south western part of Bangladesh severely damaged by the cyclone. Rescuers say they have managed to reach all of the areas hit, but there are fears that the relief effort cannot cope with the needs of survivors.
Despite its programmes escaping the worst of the damage, MSCS is active in eight of the affected districts. In Bhola, Shariatpur and Barisal, the homes of Marie Stopes Community Volunteers have been flattened by the storm, trees uprooted, and crops completely destroyed. Some of MSCS’s satellite service outlets, including those located in brick buildings as well as tin and straw shaded structures, have been severely damaged or destroyed.
MSCS Programme Director, Yasmin Ahmed said, “There is urgent need for water, dry food, clothing and shelter. Wherever possible, our team members have mobilised and are currently taking relief supplies into affected areas, assessing the medical needs of survivors and providing basic health services.”
MSI's work in Bangladesh