Cyclone Emergency in Bangladesh: UNICEF Is There
UNICEF response teams are on the ground coordinating with the government and local partners to ensure swift relief to children and families facing devastating impacts from Cyclone Remal.
As Cyclone Remal batters coastal areas of southern Bangladesh, UNICEF stands ready to assist impacted children and families.
UNICEF estimates that 8.4 million people — including 3.2 million children — face risks to their health and safety.
UNICEF has strategically positioned $1.26 million worth of emergency supplies in 35 warehouses across the country, and two rapid response teams are on standby to initiate relief operations as needed.
With 19 staff members on the ground, UNICEF is coordinating closely with governmental authorities and partners to ensure swift and effective aid delivery. UNICEF Bangladesh reported Monday that water purification tablets, hygiene kits, jerrycans and other emergency supplies were ready for distribution to affected communities and shelters.
Wind speeds were expected to approach 70 mph, while the storm's heavy rainfall raised concerns of flooding and landslides, and potential damage to some 490,000 homes. Endangered areas include coastal districts in Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Barguna, Barishal, Bhola and Patuakhali and their offshore island and chars (riverine islands formed by silt deposits).
On May 25, families along the cyclone route were instructed by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief to evacuate to shelters. In a May 27 situation report, UNICEF warned that low-lying areas — including Cox's Bazar, home to close to 980,000 Rohingya refugees — would likely be inundated by a tidal surge of 3 to 5 feet.
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