VZCZCXRO4458
OO RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #1835/01 3281548
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 241548Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5627
INFO RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9371
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1012
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0300
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 2603
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 8173
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8261
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1899
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0399
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0580
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0030
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 001835 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SES-O 
DEPT FOR SCA/PB, SCA/EX 
DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER 
AID/W FOR AA MARK WARD AND ANE ANNE DIX 
DCHA/FFP FOR MATTHEW NIMS AND PAUL NOVICK 
ROME FOR FODAG 
BANGKOK FOR RDM/A TOM DOLAN, ROB BARTON 
KATHMANDU FOR USAID OFDA BILL BERGER AND SUE MCINTYRE 
TREASURY FOR ELIZABETH WEISS AND SUSAN CHUN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PREL ASEC CASC AMGT SOCI ECON PINR EAGR SENV
BG 
 
SUBJECT:  USAID/OFDA Cyclone Sidr Situation Report #3:  The Impact 
of Cyclone Sidr on Food Security and Emergency Food Needs 
 
 
¶1. Summary.  In response to Tropical Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, 
USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) to 
assess the humanitarian situation on the ground, provide 
recommendations on priority needs, and coordinate relief efforts 
with the U.S. Department of Defense, USAID/Bangladesh, and the U.S. 
Embassy in Dhaka.  In its initial assessment, the USAID/DART has 
identified food assistance as the top priority need for 
cyclone-affected populations.  The U.N. initial rapid assessment 
team reported that 2.2 million people will require food assistance 
due to the impact of the cyclone on local food security.  On 
November 24, an advisor from USAID's Office of Food for Peace 
(USAID/FFP joined the USAID/DART in Bangladesh to assess the 
emergency food situation and provide comprehensive recommendations. 
End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS IN CYCLONE-AFFECTED AREAS 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2. On November 15, 2007, Tropical Cyclone Sidr made landfall in 
southern Bangladesh with winds of 155 miles per hour.  Rainfall and 
flooding resulting from the storm damaged infrastructure andQ 
destroyed homes, particularly affecting the southern coastal 
districts of Barguna, Bagerhat, Patuakhali, and Pirojpur.  As of 
November 23, the Government of Bangladesh's (GOB) Disaster 
Management Bureau and the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) reported 
that the cyclone had killed 3,033 people, led to the disappearance 
of 1,828 others, and damaged nearly 1.2 million homes.  In addition, 
heavy rains from the storms destroyed nearly 1.7 million acres of 
agricultural lands, negatively impacting local food security and 
livelihoods.  Information on affected populations and more detailed 
analysis of humanitarian needs are unfolding, as GOB, U.N., 
non-governmental organization (NGO), and donor assessment missions 
are still ongoing. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
EMERGENCY FOOD NEEDS FOR AFFECTED POPULATIONS 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. During its initial assessment of cyclone-affected areas in 
southern Bangladesh, the USAID/DART reports that emergency food aid 
is the highest priority for humanitarian assistance.  Likewise, the 
U.N. rapid assessment team also cited food as the most important 
area for immediate, life-saving relief.  According to the U.N. team, 
approximately 2.2 million people are in critical need of food aid 
due to destruction caused by Cyclone Sidr.  On November 24, an 
advisor from USAID/FFP joined the USAID/DART in Bangladesh to assess 
the emergency food situation, provide comprehensive recommendations, 
attend coordination meetings with U.N. agencies, NGOs, and the GOB's 
Ministry of Food and Disaster Management. 
 
¶4. According to WFP, strong winds and tidal surge resulting from the 
storm destroyed more than 1.6 million acres of croplald.  The main 
crop damaged is rice, which is currently under cultivation from 
November 2007 to January 2008.  Since many crops were ready for 
harvest, the impact of Cyclone Sidr was especially harmful on local 
food security.  On November 22, the U.N. rapidassessment team 
reported that 25 percent of ready-to-harvest crops in the 
storm-affected areas were destroyed. 
 
¶5. In the most affected areas, household reserves of food have been 
 
 
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* Missing Section 002 * 
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DHAKA 00001835  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶11. Through its public food distribution system, the GOB is 
providing rice to cyclone-affected populations.  As of November 23, 
the GOB had allocated 7,640 MT of rice and distributed 27,000 food 
bags.  However, the GOB has not released the exact amount of 
government food stockpiles available for distribution to affected 
populations. 
 
¶12. On November 23, USAID officials attended a coordination meeting 
between the GOB and international donors, which was held at the GOB 
Ministry of Food and Disaster Management.  At the meeting, GOB 
representatives stated that government food stocks are currently 
higher than they were last year at this time; however, recent 
flooding and the impact of Cyclone Sidr have devastated Bangladesh's 
agricultural cycles.  The GOB stated that although current food 
stocks are "good," they may be depleted by March or April 2008. 
Furthermore, the next season's rice crop is not expected until May 
¶2008.  The GOB may be hesitant to tap into government stockpiles due 
to concerns over food security in the long-run. 
 
¶13. India has announced a $22 million contribution in food 
assistance comprising 40,000 MT of rice, 10,000 MT of wheat, and 
1,000 MT of milk power.  Contingent on when these food commodities 
will arrive and whether they are allocated to cyclone-affected 
areas, this assistance could be significant in filling the food 
needs of victims of Cyclone Sidr. 
 
 
PASI