WHAT HAPPENED?
On 20 May, Super Cyclone Amphan hit some of the poorest areas of India and Bangladesh.
The storm wreaked havoc, with winds of up to 185 km/h along with heavy rain and sea surges. It destroyed houses and crops, and cut power supplies to cities and towns.
An estimated 500,000 families could have lost their homes and over 3 million people across the two countries are living in collective centres.
These are places where people were already struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. There is a lack of clean water, health care and resilient housing.
Now, families are dealing with a double threat. They are trying to survive after the storm has taken their homes and livelihoods – as well as avoid the potential spread of coronavirus in crowded evacuation centres where social distancing and regular handwashing will be extremely difficult.
Families will urgently need shelter to maintain social distancing and be less exposed to the risks of coronavirus.
Without urgent, effective action, lives could be lost on a huge scale.
WHAT SUPPORT DO PEOPLE NEED?
Families will urgently need emergency shelter and other essential items like water filters and mosquito nets to help them survive and keep safe from coronavirus.
Global travel restrictions are making it tougher for us to do our work, but we’re on red alert and ready to support those who need it.
Our aid stored in Dubai can be mobilised quickly. Our strong relationships with local partners and Rotary groups, along with our knowledge of working in Bangladesh many times, all means we are in the best possible position to help families who have lost their homes to this storm.
We’re already delivering aid in places like Cameroon, the Philippines, Syria and Ethiopia, and we are exploring whether we can support families in Bangladesh too.
Shelter kits
A selection of hardwearing tools and materials will allow families to build shelters so they can follow social distancing guidelines
Mosquito nets
Coated with insecticide, our mosquito nets offer an extra layer of protection from insect-borne diseases like malaria or dengue fever
Water filters
Clean water is more important than ever. When families are unable to access clean water, water filters enable them to produce safe drinking water.
GIVE SHELTER
It’s not just families in Bangladesh and India who need your support right now. From Syria, to Ethiopia, to the Philippines – conflicts, disasters and coronavirus have left thousands homeless and vulnerable.
If we act now, we can help limit the spread of coronavirus.
HOW DOES SHELTER SAVE LIVES DURING CORONAVIRUS?
Coronavirus is a deadly risk for vulnerable families who have lost their homes. But shelter can save lives by:
- Helping families to self-isolate and stay as healthy as possible
- Helping to adapt or expand a vulnerable family’s home to ease overcrowding and allow social distancing
- Helping people move from evacuation centres where families live close together
- Helping to reduce sharing of essential household items between families
By slowing the spread of the virus, shelter can save lives. You can give people shelter by supporting us today.