Mohammad Shahjahan (Saju), FbF Coordinator of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), explains how his organization took preparatory actions to face the dual challenges of cyclone and COVID in May this year. Already before the cyclone approached, government and BDRCS had revised guidelines and trained volunteers and Cyclone Programme staff in coastal districts to take Covid risks into account. “When we activated our Early Action Protocols on May 18th for Cyclone Amphan, we took precautionary measures in the cyclone shelters”, Saju explained. Bangladesh government had identified many existing structures (like schools etc.) to be used as additional cyclone shelters so people can maintain social distancing. BDRCS provided masks and hand sanitizer and volunteers took initiative to carry out disinfection activities in hospitals and other important places where people took shelter. Despite all the additional precautions, all actions were completed in 30 hours and before the cyclone made landfall. “A great success of BDRCS and the government”, says Saju. His team helped bring more than 34000 people and their belonging to safety. And it seems the precautions against Covid risks were largely effective: data from cyclone affected areas does not show that Covid increased more than in other regions.
Hilla Wessel