Email 
Print 
Cyclone Aila update - June 2009
Source: WHO
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
This update provides a snapshot of the activities of WHO South-East Asia in Emergency and Humanitarian Action in
Banglades.
- Cyclone Aila hit Bangladesh and India on 26 May 2009, bringing heavy rains and winds at over 120 km per hour.
- With the first warnings of the cyclone forming over the Bay of Bengal, approximately 40 000 people were evacuated to cyclone shelters.
- According to the Disaster Management Information Centre, 14 districts were affected by the cyclone. Eighty one people were reported dead. Many areas of the affected districts were inundated and houses, roads and embankments were damaged.
- A total of 686 medical teams (doctors, health assistants) are working in Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barisal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barguna, Pirojpur and Patuakhali districts and providing emergency medical care, mostly first aid.
- The Directorate General of Health services (DGHS) Control Rooms at the central level and coastal districts have been made operational on a 24-hour basis.
- WHO will provide technical support to the DGHS in conducting a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) to assess the impact and needs of the health sector.
- Providing safe water is a priority. SEARO and WHO headquarters are mobilizing water treatment plants for the use of health facilities and the communities as was done during cylone SIDR.
