Direct Relief is preparing to send at least two additional emergency airfreight shipments of medical material aid to help those affected by Cyclone Sidr, which latest reports estimate has left nearly 3,500 dead in its wake.

An emergency supply of medical materials is being prepared for Direct Relief partner Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha (SSS), a locally run nonprofit healthcare and education provider. Another shipment is now being put together for SSS and will likely be sent out early next week.

SSS successfully received a shipment of aid last week that Direct Relief sent in response to severe flooding in Bangladesh during September and October.  According to SSS staff, the recently received supplies, including 46,000 sachets of oral rehydration solution, will be used for response to both emergencies.

“There is urgently need for supplies of food, water and medicine in remote areas. Shortage of drinking water and medicine had caused outbreaks of diarrhea in many places,” said Abul Hasanat Mohammed Rezwan, executive director of SSS, in e-mail communication with Direct Relief.

Additionally, SRDD, a newly-established Bangladeshi partner, has offered its assistance and expertise in internal logistics within the country, which will allow Direct Relief to expedite a greater amount of aid into the hands of those affected by the cyclone. SRDD also will coordinate in-country transportation to partners within Bangladesh, sending the supplies to medical facilities in the hardest hit regions.

Direct Relief has set up a specific designation for cash contributions intended for the cyclone recovery, and 100 percent of contributions to that fund will go towards programmatic expenses. If you wish to donate for the recovery, please make sure to choose “Bangladesh Cyclone” as your designation on our donation page.