Update May 30, 2020: Super cyclone Amphan survivors share horror stories of the worst storm in a decade to hit India and Bangladesh last week. With millions affected and over 80 dead, the cyclone battered an already suffering population from the COVID-19 lockdowns. Daily wage workers, poverty stricken families and Rohingya refugees continue to struggle with the lack of food, water and shelter in the aftermath of both COVID-19 and Cyclone Amphan.

HHRD’s vetted partner NGOs immediately began emergency relief operations that carried on throughout the Eid ul Fitr holidays after the launch of the “Amphan Cyclone Relief Fund”.

Helping Hand USA is one of handfuls of highly-rated charities providing emergency food, clothing, shelter, and rehabilitation assistance to the affected families as shared by Charity Navigator.

Areas of Service: Bangladesh: Koyra Thana in Khulna District and in Ashashuni Thana & Shamnagar Thana in Shatkhira District

India: Raigachi in North 24 Parganas District, Kumadean Bagan Lane (Kolkata), Uluberia in Howrah District, & Mollar Thes in South 24 Parganas District.

Over 25,000 warm meals have been provided to families affected by this storm. As waters recede, HHRD teams are gathering supplies to distribute dry food packages, hygiene kits, and clean water, with the threat of waterborne diseases on the rise.

As of May 30th, 2020, in an effort for long-term settling options, HHRD is working to provide 25 low cost homes in India and 25 shelter homes in Bangladesh with provisions and hygiene kits for families in need. With donor support we can increase these provisions.

Your support is crucial as countless lives struggle to survive after the devastating loss incurred in this cyclone.

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Situation on the Ground: Super Cyclone Amphan left widespread power outages and flooding across India and Bangladesh while claiming lives and injuring scores of people. The super cyclone made landfall May 20th and continued to batter the region well into the following day. The densely populated city of Kolkata, in Eastern India, where an estimated 14 million people reside is currently under water. Bangladesh also felt immediate effects of the storm as 10 million people lost power.

Frightening Numbers Coming In: The United Nations has estimated 10 million people have been affected in Bangladesh while 500,000 have lost their homes. Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh is home to the largest number of Rohingya refugees who are scattered throughout 35 camps in the narrow region. Already suffering from recent camp fires; this super cyclone will devastate and demoralize an already vulnerable community.

COVID-19 restrictions are making it extremely challenging for local officials to conduct emergency search and rescue operations. We ask that you keep the people of India and Bangladesh in your prayers as we learn more about the aftermath of this cyclone.

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