Cyclone Aila hits Bangladesh and India

4 June 2009

One of a set of pictures taken in the affected area earlier this year for the Prix Pictet Commission.

Credit: © Munem Wasif courtesy of Prix Pictet 2008

On Monday 25 May, a devastating cyclone hit the Satkhira district of Bangladesh and the states of West Bengal and Orissa in India.  WaterAid works in both Satkhira and Orissa.

Satkhira in Bangladesh is a coastal belt district, where people rely on pond water and pond sand filters (PSF). Almost all of these have been washed out and inundated with saline water, and people are in dire need of safe drinking water.

The start of the monsoon season risks compounding matters as floodwaters may take time to recede. An increased incidence of diarrhoea is also giving cause for concern.

WaterAid's partners have confirmed that our project work in Orissa continues as normal.

In Bangladesh, WaterAid has plans in place to provide safe water for nine to ten days to people affected by the cyclone until such time as safe sources of water are rehabilitated.

WaterAid in Bangladesh has also put its partner Sushilon in touch with Oxfam, who are focusing on providing clean drinking water in the aftermath of the cyclone.

WaterAid Country Programmes are monitoring the situation on the ground and are in discussion with partners regarding the possibility of further interventions to provide rehabilitation support in the affected areas.

Speaking about the situation, Khairul Islam, WaterAid Bangladesh’s Country Representative, said: "WaterAid in Bangladesh very much wishes to express its solidarity with the community affected and will support our partners, Sushilon, as best we can."

For media enquiries please contact Ann Noon, Media Relations Manager: 0207 793 4790, AnnNoon@wateraid.org.

Read A sea of tears: the flooded people of South Bangladesh, an article about Munem Wasif's images of the cyclone by Tahmima Anam, as recently featured in the Guardian on their website (opens in a new window)