UN agencies help Bangladesh provide aid in cold wave

(New York: 19 January 2006): United Nations agencies, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are supporting the Government of Bangladesh in responding to a recent cold wave that has hit the country, killing more than 130 people and affecting at least 100,000 since early January.

During the current cold wave, temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius have been recorded in three northern districts, reportedly the lowest temperatures in 38 years. A number of districts have been affected, including Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Lamonirhat, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Rangpur, Joypurhat, Bogra, Chapainowabganj, Serajganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Kishorganj, Sherpur, Gazipur, Shariatpur, Rajbari, Gopalganj, Jhalokathi, Khulna, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Moulavibazar and Sunamganj.

The unusually cold weather has damaged crops, disrupted communication and transportation, and spread diseases, especially among children and the elderly. The level of suffering of the poor, street children, women and aged people is high, as they cannot afford warm clothes and adequate food.

Ahead of further expected cold waves, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working to complement the national response by providing emergency assistance to ten affected districts, including Dinajpur, Kurigram, Rajshahi, Bogra, Sirajgonj, Pabna, Sunamgonj, Sarkhira, Faridpur, and Jhenaidah. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has made a cash grant of $50,000 available to the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator to provide warm clothes in the affected areas, in cooperation with partners such as Bangladesh National Scouts, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps, Handicap International and other NGOs.

The Government of Bangladesh has already distributed some 75,000 blankets to the poor in northern districts, and to homeless poor and street children in areas of the capital. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is also responding with assistance for the people of Bangladesh. Other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and agencies are also distributing warm clothes, including RDRS, Islamic Relief, CARE Bangladesh, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society/IFRC, Oxfam, Concern, UBINIG, World Food Programme (WFP), CCDB and BRAC.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecasts that two more cold spells of moderate to severe intensity are expected to hit the country during the third and fourth week of January.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570.