VZCZCXRO4668
OO RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #1838/01 3291310
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251310Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5636
INFO RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9380
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1021
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0309
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 2606
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 8179
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8267
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1908
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0405
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0586
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0036
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 001838 
 
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 NFDA 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 #4:  The Adverse 
Impact of Cyclone Sidr on Public Health 
 
 
¶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.    Through initial field assessments and 
participation in the U.N. health cluster meeting, the USAID/DART 
reports that emergency health interventions are prioritizet$after 
food, water, sanitation, and hygiene, shelter, and livelihoods 
assistance.  Although the healthcare system is generally weak in 
Bangladesh, Cyclone Sidr did not drastically disrupt the GOB's 
capacity to provide health services to affected populations.  In 
addition, emergency preparedness activities undertaken by the GOB 
and international donors, such as the pre-positioning of medical 
staff and supplies, have assuaged the adverse impact of the cyclone 
on public health.  Nevertheless, contaminated water sources and 
inadequate sanitation and hygiene conditions are potential factors 
for impending outbreaks of water-borne diseases.  As such, the GOB 
and humanitarian responders should engage in outbreak preparedness 
activities, such as the stockpiling of oral rehydration solutions 
(ORS) and antibiotics.  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.  Through 
ongoing field assessments, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) and 
humanitarian organizations are still collecting and analyzing 
information on populations affected by the cyclone.  Heavy rains and 
resultant flooding from the storm damaged nearly 1.2 million homes, 
destroyed nearly 1.7 million acres of crops, and killed 3,033 
people, according to the GOB's Disaster Management Bureau and the 
U.N. World Food Program as of Novem"uv 23.  Victims of the cyclone 
also face pervasive challenges due to loss of livestock and 
household assets, as well as damage to educational institutions, 
roads, and embankments.  Although the cyclone affected 31 districts 
throughout the country, it particularly devastated Barguna, 
Bagerhat, Patuakhali, and Pirojpur eistricts in the south. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
USAID/DART INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH SITUATION IN AFFECTED AREAS 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶3. In initial assessments of affected areas, the USAID/DART's water, 
sanitation, and hygiene advisor observed that Cyclone Sidr did not 
drastically weaken the healthcare system in Bangladesh. `However, 
the USAID/DART advisor recommends that the GOB's Ministry of Health 
and Family Welfare (MOHFW) and humanitarian organizations engage in 
outbreak preparedness activities, as the potential for water- and 
vector-borne diseases remains highly likely.  Since the healthcare 
system is generally weak, outbreaks of cholera and diarrhea may 
exceed the GOB's capacity to respond.  The USAID/DART advisor 
indicated that the potential for outbreaks remains high until water 
systems are ensured.  Disease surveillance and engaging in outbreak 
preparedness activities, such as stockpiling ORS and antibiotics, 
would help decrease the spread of water-borne diseases. [Note.  The 
Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST) has also deployed teams 
to assess the health situation and these findings will be reported 
separately.  End note.] 
 
DHAKA 00001838  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
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HUMANITARIAN NEEDS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. On November 25, members from the USAID/DART attended the U.N. 
Disaster Emergency Response (DER) health cluster meeting chaired by 
the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO).  During this coordination 
meeting, GOB officials, international donors, the U.N., and 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in the health sector 
discussed the public health situation resulting from Cyclone Sidr. 
The MOHFW reported that the cyclone has negatively impacted public 
health in Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Barisal, Barguna, Patuakhali, 
Pirojpur, Jhalokati, and Bhola districts.  Affected residents face 
various potential public health challenges, including acute 
respiratory infections and increased incidents of water- and 
vector-borne diseases.  In response to the cyclone, the MOHFW 
deployed 599 doctors, 23 supervisory physicians, and 691 medical 
teams comprising doctors, medical assistance, and paramedics to 
affected areas.  The Bangladesh army also deployed medical teams to 
assist populations affected by the cyclone. 
 
¶5. GOB and WHO health officials reported that water quality 
assurance is a priority humanitarian need to mitigate the adverse 
impact of the cyclone on public health.  Accrding to the U.N. 
initial rapid assessment team, approximately 1.2 million people are 
in need of immediate drinking water.  Water purification qlays a 
vital role in disaster response, as safe drinking water helps 
prevent diarrhea and othe2 water-borne diseases such `s cholera.  ToM 
reduce the likelilood of water-borne disease, USAID/OFDA is 
airlifting four add)dional water purification units and four water 
containers from the USAID/OFDA warehouse in Dubai.  The emergency 
relief supplies are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on or around 
November 26. 
 
¶6. Also linked to health interventions, sanitation needs are 
considerable in cyclone-affected areas.  The U.N. rapid assessment 
team estimated that 1.3 million people are in vital need of 
sanitation assistance.  Families will inevitably need support 
constructing latrines, as storm surge from the cyclone damaged or 
destroyed nearly 1.2 million homes, according to the GOB.  Likewise, 
hygiene promotion is integral in confronting public health 
challenges that may arise due to the cyclone.  The USAID/DART's 
water, sanitation, and hygiene advisor is currently assessing 
humanitarian conditions in cyclone-affected areas and will provide 
further recommendations for$USAID/OFDA response. 
 
¶7. Although immediate health needs are generally being met, MOHFW 
officials reported the need to replenish buffer stock, acquire 
additional medical equipment, and reconstruct damaged health 
facilities.  The U.N. rapid assessment team identified approximately 
523,000 people in need of medicine and medical services.  Additional 
health needs include advocacy training, health education on the use 
of safe drinking water and personal hygiene, and information 
coordination and management. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
USAID/DART RECOMMENDATIONS ON HEALTH INTERVENTIONS 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶8. Through initial field assessments and participation in the U.N. 
 
DHAKA 00001838  003 OF 003 
 
 
health cluster meeting, the USAID/DART reports that emergency health 
interventions are a lesser priority than other humanitarian needs in 
responding to the cyclone.  Primary response drugs are reaching 
affected populations, and the GOB does not report a lack of medical 
staff assisting cyclone-affected populations.  Safe drinking water 
and sanitation and hygiene promotion will improve the public health 
situation for populations in southern Bangladesh affected by the 
cyclone. 
 
 
PASI