Cyclone Remal: BRAC teams prepare for response in Bangladesh

2 million people in direct line of storm; 900,000 already in cyclone shelters;  BRAC mobilizes 14,000 staff and volunteers

UPDATE [May 27, 2024]

• 7 people have died in Barishal, Satkhira, Patuakhali, Bhola and Chattogram (Source: Somoy News BD)
• There is a strong likelihood of significant damage to houses, agricultural crops, infrastructure and livestock deaths. 
• Millions are without power as authorities shut down electricity supply to many areas in advance to avoid accidents, and fallen trees and broken lines disrupted supply.
• The river embankments in the Sunderbans delta, the largest mangrove forest in the world, shared by India and Bangladesh, suffered heavy damage with high tides breaching protective embankments at many places.
• There is severe flooding in many districts, and continuing heavy rainfall may also lead to flooding in the capital Dhaka.
• While the cyclone hit at midnight, impacts still being felt, hampering a full assessment of loss and damage

If attribution is needed, please use: Dr Md Liakath Ali, Director, Climate Change Programme, Urban Development Programme, and Disaster Risk Management Programme, BRAC.

DHAKA, May 26, 2024 – BRAC teams are mobilized ahead of Cyclone Remal, predicted to make landfall in Bangladesh at midnight (local time) on 26 May. Half a million people living in makeshift shelters are at risk of displacement. Approximately 900,000 people have already taken shelter in 9,000 cyclone shelters. The cyclone is predicted to cause an 8-12-foot storm surge across 16 coastal districts. Behind it, forecasters predict 48 hours of heavy rain. Tidal surges broke through the embankments protecting more than 30 villages in Patuakhali, a coastal district in southern Bangladesh, and flooded the communities. There is a risk of landslides in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. 

BRAC teams activated
Founded in Bangladesh 52 years ago, BRAC has mobilized thousands of its employees. BRAC staff are helping communities prepare across the impacted regions:

• 14,000+ BRAC field staff and volunteers are disseminating awareness messages through door-to-door visits, and supporting families in vulnerable conditions to evacuate.
• BRAC community health workers and volunteers are supporting pregnant and lactating mothers in their communities.
• Community radio stations are broadcasting early warning directives.
• BRAC local offices are coordinating with local government offices in each district to distribute emergency food and water during and after the storm. 
• Five of BRAC’s mobile reverse osmosis water treatment plants in three salinity-prone southwestern districts are ready to provide emergency water support.

“Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal is headed straight for two million people, at least half a million of whom live in houses made of materials such as clay, wood, plastic sheets, straw or tin,” said Dr Md Liakath Ali, Director, Climate Change Program, Urban Development Program, and Disaster Risk Management Program, BRAC.

The Government of Bangladesh and non-governmental organizations have mobilized trained volunteers, stocked cyclone shelters with dry food supplies, and mobilized medical teams. Rohingya communities living in the camps in Cox’s Bazar are especially at risk of landslides and floods as their shelters are made from tarpaulin and bamboo frames. The Relief and Repatriation Commissioner office has reported that schools, mosques, and madrasas within the camps have been prepared as shelters.

The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist Great Danger Signal Number 10 – the second highest danger signal, and the maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to hoist Great Danger Signal Number 9. 

A trawler carrying at least 80 passengers capsized crossing the Mongla river this morning. Two people, including a child, are still missing. All trawler movements have been stopped following the incident. 

Notes to the Editor

ABOUT BRAC

BRAC is an international development organization known for its community-led, holistic approach and delivering long-term impact at scale. BRAC works with communities in marginalized situations, hard-to-reach areas and post-disaster settings across Asia and Africa, with a particular focus on women and children. BRAC innovates, pilots, perfects, and scales poverty solutions. Born in Bangladesh in 1972, BRAC today reaches more than 100 million people in 17 countries.

ABOUT BRAC USA

Based in New York City, BRAC USA is an independent 501(c)3 organization that strengthens BRAC’s impact by raising awareness and mobilizing resources to support and amplify its programs for the people we serve.

Experts, photos and b-roll available

• Dr. Liakath Ali is available for comment and interviews
• Other members of BRAC senior leadership can be available if needed
• Local teams in the direct path of the storm (subject to internet connectivity) are available
• Photos and b-roll available for use so long as copyright is included and images are not used out of situational context 

Media contacts

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (AEST (GMT+10): Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh, Head, Thought Leadership and English Content, BRAC:  [email protected] | Phone: +61477 910 903 | WhatsApp: +88017 389 379 85

WASHINGTON, DC (GMT – 5):  Mica Bevington | Phone / WhatsApp +1-202-290-9264 | [email protected]