WESTPORT, Conn. (June 11, 2009) — Save the Children continues to confront the serious health risks facing children in the aftermath of Cyclone Aila, which hit southwestern Bangladesh and eastern India on May 25 and killed close to 300 people. Learn more about Save the Children's response and follow this story and others on Twitter.

Widespread saltwater contamination from flooding has drastically reduced clean water supplies. Diarrhea and other waterborne diseases pose a major health threat to many of the approximately 10 million people affected by the cyclone.

Children dry books after flooding from the cyclone. Credit: REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw courtesy alertnet.org

"Children are not only more vulnerable to the diarrhea outbreaks we're seeing in flood-affected areas, they are more likely to die if they get sick," said Ned Olney, vice president for Save the Children's global humanitarian response. "It's extremely critical to get clean water and medical treatment to these children, even as their families are coping with the loss of homes, livelihoods, and the extreme challenges of daily life and uncertain futures."

To treat diarrhea, Save the Children has distributed thousands of doses of oral rehydration supplies in India and Bangladesh. Save the Children is also operating five water purification plants in Bangladesh and has distributed more than 1.2 million liters of clean water to date. The agency is providing 17,000 families in the hardest-hit areas with daily drinking water, and is taking water by vehicle and boat to some of the more remote coastal areas. Save the Children has also distributed 15,000 water purification tablets to 1,500 families.

Nine Health Teams Sent to Affected Islands

To address the medical needs of the most isolated families, Save the Children is operating a water ambulance in cooperation with local Bangladeshi authorities. The water ambulance has transported nine health teams to chars (sea islands) and med-evacuated three critically ill patients (two children and one expectant mother).

Save the Children has provided thousands of Indian and Bangladeshi families with household kits that contain water containers, tarps for temporary shelter, mosquito nets and hygiene items. 

Save the Children has also established more than 25 child-friendly spaces and will continue to create more. These provide children with safe places to play, receive healthy meals and health services, and reestablish a sense of routine and security.

DONATE NOW

Save the Children needs your support to help meet the most critical needs of children and families in the wake of Cyclone Aila. Your donation will help provide drinking water, food distribution and other necessities.

Save the Children has been working in Bangladesh since 1972 and began working in India prior to independence. The agency, which implements disaster risk-reduction programs in addition to conducting emergency relief efforts around the world and in the United States, also provided relief and assisted with recovery efforts after Cyclone Sidr swept through Bangladesh in November 2007.

Learn More about Save the Children's emergency response.

Learn more about our programs in Bangladesh.

Read about Save the Children's response to Cyclone Sidr in 2007.

Save the Children is the leading independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.