The cyclone SIDR has caused horrific devastation and loss of life in the south-western coastal districts of Bangladesh. The death toll continues to rise as more and more bodies are found. Distraught people are recounting how one child slipped away while they were trying to save another, or how they watched their mother or father being swept away. Entire villages have been raised to the ground, not a tree, not a house standing.

The Naripokkho-WHRAP project’s working area took the major brunt of the cyclone. Our two field researchers have lost their homes and 14 out of 18 partner organisations’ offices and staffs are directly affected. These are located in Pathorghata, Barguna Sadar, Bamna, Amtali, Betagi, Mirzaganj, Kalapara, Bauphal, Dashmina, Bakerganj, Bhandaria, Jhalakathi, Rajapur, and Mathbaria Upazilas.
 
Naripokkho is contributing in a very small way to the emergency relief efforts of our partner organisations through contribution in cash and kind (clothing, blankets, shawls). The Naripokkho Network Project is mobilising support for the 81 member organisations in the affected area and the Naripokkho VAW Monitoring Project is extending support to two partner organisations in Satkhira and Bhola.

We are appealing to all friends and partners to contribute in whatever way they can to the effort. Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition has already informed us that they are sending over clothing contributed by BWHC staff.

Sincerely,
Shireen Huq
Coordinator
Naripokkho-WHRAP
E-mail: naripok@aitbd.net
Website: www.naripokkho.com