The New Nation - Internet Edition

Art & Culture Report

Almost one year ago (November 15, 2007) cyclone SIDR ravaged southern part of Bangladesh killing more than 3,000 people and leaving millions homeless. Now more than one million survivors are struggling without proper shelter and are at greater risk of disease than before, international aid agencies have warned. To memories the devastation of the cyclone a new documentary titled 'Our Home After SIDR' made by Oxfam International was launched at a function at the Hotel Sheraton in the city yesterday. The documentary highlighted the serious problems still facing many families affected by the SIDR. Despite funding pledges from foreign governments, international donors and non-governmental organisations to help build new homes for around 78,000 families, only about one-quarter of these planned homes, designed to be more resilient in future storms, have been built. Another 276,000 families have received no reconstruction help and are living in unsafe shelters, built from polythene sheets and salvaged materials. Additionally, landless families living on government-owned land, or Khas areas, are excluded from receiving any government shelter support because they have no official land titles.

KH Masud Siddiqui, Director General of the Disaster Management Bureau of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, was present as chief guest, while Aly Zaker, actor and media personality, was present as special guest on the occasion.

Heather Blackwell, Oxfam GB Country Director, BMM Mozharul Huq, Chair of the Shelter Working Group and Adviser of the UNDP Humanitarian Response Adviser and Peter Pichler, Swiss Red Cross Country Director, two representatives from the cyclone-affected district Barguna also spoke at the function.

Heather Blackwell in her speech said, "Communities still need urgent help - both to recover from the impact of Sidr, and to be able to prepare for future possible storms, floods or cyclones."