One of the consequences of the Cyclone Sidr was severely damaged water and sanitation systems. The lack of pure water supply can easily lead to water borne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, fever and skin diseases. The World Health Organization Representative and the Norwegian Ambassador in Bangladesh recently visited new Norwegian sponsored water purification plants which will help people in some of the worst affected areas.
04/02/2008 :: In November last year Bangladesh was struck by the devastating cyclone Sidr. The unfolding tragedies was followed with great attention in Norway, and as an immediate response the Norwegian Government made available 4.3 million USD, of which 650.000 USD was allocated to WHO.
Provision of safe drinking water is essential in order to prevent an outbreak of diseases. Some of the above-mentioned relief was used to provide water purifying plants for the government health sector and suffering people. The WHO project has also provided training for 45 technicians of the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) for installation, effective operation and maintenance of the plants.
The Norwegian Ambassador Ms. Ingebjørg Støfring and WHO Representative Dr. Duangvadee Sungkhobol last week participated in the official opening of water purification plants in Morrelganj and Sharankhola, both upazilas in the Bagerhat District in South Bangladesh. Bagerhat is one of the districts that was hardest hit by the Sidr Cyclone.
"It was comforting to see that the Norwegian relief contributes so positively in the rehabilitation work after Sidr", says Ambassador Ingebjørg Støfring. "I am pleased that WHO has a very capable team who can assist the Government of Bangladesh in their relief and rehabilitation efforts for the Sidr affected people," concludes the Ambassador.