Page starts here:

Main Content: Cyclone Sidr: Three months on

“Bangladesh is the forgotten tsunami,” said photographer John Cobb, when he recently visited older people affected by Cyclone Sidr.

HelpAge International has been working with partners to help rebuild lives and livelihoods in the aftermath of the cyclone.

This gallery tells the story of some of the older people affected. To read the story behind the photo, click on the relevant image.

70-year-old Charu. Photo: John Cobb/HelpAge International.

Charu, 70, says: “It was the scariest thing of my life. Everything has been damaged. We also lost many of our betal nut trees. Before the storm the money we made from selling them was enough to support us for up to four months. I don’t know what we will do now.”

More on Cyclone Sidr

HelpAge International and Help the Aged have been able to meet the immediate needs of 5,000 older people and 20,000 family members in the 3 months since Cyclone Sidr ripped through the south of Bangladesh.

However, with thousands killed and over a million left homeless, we are calling for more resources to help restore people’s homes, health, and livelihoods. Read news story

Resources

Older people in disasters and humanitarian crises: Guidelines for best practice

Older people’s associations in community disaster risk reduction

Internal links

News: Race to reach older survivors of Bangladesh cyclone

Emergencies case studies

How you can help

You can make a donation to the Bangladesh cyclone relief work through Help the Aged, on their website.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal to help survivors of the cyclone. To make a donation, visit the DEC website.

The DEC is an umbrella organisation that launches and coordinates the UK's national appeal in response to major disasters overseas. HelpAge International’s partner organisation, Help the Aged, is one of its members.