BANGLADESH: Coping with the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr (video series)

Photo: Salma Zulfiqar/IRIN

Cyclone Sidr devastated parts of Bangladesh in November 2007. It was one of the worst natural disasters the country witnessed with some nine million people affected

DHAKA, 5 June 2008 (IRIN) - The intensity of natural disasters is increasing worldwide and looks set to getworse due to climate change, according to experts. Globally, the number of recorded disasters has doubled over the past two decades from around 200 to over 400 per year. Nine out of 10 disasters are now climate related, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world and also one of the countries hardest hit by climate change in Asia.

Cyclone Sidr devastated parts of Bangladesh in November 2007. It was one of the worst natural disasters the country witnessed with some nine million people affected, according to the Bangladeshi Red Crescent Society. Hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless and many dependent on aid.

Photo: Salma Zulfiqar/IRIN

Mustafa Mullah lost his family in Cyclone Sidr and lives on his own in a tent. He is dependent on aid and does not know where his next meal will come from

Orphan Mustafa Mullah cannot cope on his own

This video short looks at the life of 14-year-old Mustafa Mullah. He lost his family in the cyclone and lives on his own in a tent. He is dependent on aid and does not know where his next meal will come from. The psychological toll on Mustafa has been huge.

Photo: Salma Zulfiqar/IRIN

Layli Akhtar and her daughter Mahmooda. Layli lost her husband and her other daughter in the cyclone and says she is helpless and cannot cope without her husband who was also the main breadwinner

Widow Layli Akhtar is left with one daughter

This video short focuses on the life of Layli Akhtar and her daughter Mahmooda. Layli lost her husband and her other daughter in the cyclone and says she is helpless and cannot cope without her husband who was also the main breadwinner. Layli found the bodies of her husband and daughter in a local river. The single mother is surviving off aid but says she does not know what she will do when it runs out.

Photo: Salma Zulfiqar/IRIN

Shiraz Munshi was badly injured by Cyclone Sidr and cannot work so has had to send his 10-year-old son out to work

Fisherman Shiraz Munshi put of business

The fishing community in southern Bangladesh was devastated by Cyclone Sidr. This video short focuses on the village of Patterghatta where fishermen are struggling to get back on their feet. Because Shiraz Munshi was badly injured in the cyclone and cannot work, he has had to send his 10-year-old son out to work.











Watch the videos here
This Bangladesh video short looks at the life of 14 year old Mustafa Mullah

This Bangladesh video short focuses on the life of Layli Akhtar and her daughter...

This Bangladesh video short focuses on the village of Patterghatta where fishermen are...

sz/ed