A joint needs assessment was undertaken in Bangladesh in the three worst affected districts hit by the Tropical Storm Mahasen on May 16, 2013. This assessment was produced with technical support of ACAPS through a partnership with CARE, Bangladesh funded by DFID.
The main objectives of this assessment were:
- Identification of priority needs of the affected population
- Provision of approximate numbers of affected people
- Identification of severely affected geographic areas within the districts of Patuakhali, Bhola and Barguna
- Provision of general recommendations to inform strategic decisions on resource mobilization and response planning
Key findings:
1,042,340 people affected-25% of the population in the three districts
220,432 (Bhola), 25% of population
524,900 (Barguna), 59% of population
297,008 (Patuakhali), 19% of population
In terms of priority districts:
Barguna is worst affected considering the scale and proportion of the population affected
Bhola is the immediate priority based on the number of people displaced in spontaneous settlements and the need for immediate food assistance
DMIC reports that 118,792 shelters have been damaged (19,353 fully and 99,439 partially damaged) but definitions are unclear.
Estimates on the number of displaced people range from approximately 5,400 (reported by Upazila Chairmen across 3 districts) to 38,000 (reported by Union Chairman across the 54 most affected unions alone).
Livelihood is the first priority reported by Upazilas. The most impacted groups are daily laborers (agricultural and non-agricultural) and small and marginal farmers. This is significant because of the cross cutting implications to almost all sectors: particularly the capacity to self recover, food security, nutrition.
When granulated to the union level, food is the most acute need in worst affected unions.
Significant impact on agriculture. Barguna was the worst affected district in terms of cultivated land (57% was affected), followed by Patuakhali (46%).
Drinking water is not an immediate concern.
Significant damage to household latrines is reported, exacerbating the already poor sanitation coverage).
Health facilities are functioning and appear able to cope with present needs.
The combination of the pre-crisis vulnerability in relation to nutrition and the impact on food and livelihood could have an impact on child feeding practices that could further compromise nutrition.