The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

More help needed from the international community as survivors of cyclone 'Aila' face contaminated water and disease, aid agency Oxfam said on Tuesday.

Cyclone survivors in Bangladesh are now facing a severe risk of disease as supply of safe drinking water is reaching to a crisis levels, a press release of Oxfam said.

The full picture of the devastation caused by the cyclone is only now fully emerging. Salt water has contaminated nearly all the fresh water sources in the south-west of the country and damaged around a third in central and south-eastern districts.

The sanitation systems have collapsed in all cyclone affected areas and human, animal and fish corpses are polluting the countryside, the release said.

Cyclone Aila hit the Bangladesh coast on May 25, affecting 3.6 million people and leaving over 7.50 lakh people homeless.

Head of Oxfam in Bangladesh Heather Blackwell said, "The cyclone affected areas of Bangladesh are now an ideal breeding ground for all kinds of diseases."

In may areas as the sources of fresh water have been polluted by the sea water, forcing people to drink dirty water, he added.

Oxfam chief said, "The government of Bangladesh is trying to cope with the problem and has already asked for foreign aid." Oxfam urged the international community to respond generously to help cyclone victims", he added.

Oxfam is currently expanding its emergency response to reach 1.10 lakh people in the most severely affected districts of Khulna and Shatkhira.