Dhaka (AsiaNews) - As the U.S. come to terms with the damage caused by the powerful tornado on May 20, which hit the Oklahoma City area and debate rages over alerts on risk and prevention, in Bangladesh the UN has commended local authorities in their efforts to increase the level of security and preparedness for such natural disasters, which are very frequent here. The last one was the tropical storm Mahasen, that on May 16 last, hit over 13 coastal districts, where more than a million people live. The official toll was 18 dead, while 400 thousand people suffered injuries and there was damage of various kinds, particularly in agriculture.
The
United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has, however, praised the
preparation of the government and humanitarian organizations that have helped
to save countless lives. The
local UN coordinator, Pascal Villeneuve, said that "although there has
been loss of life, the government has demonstrated its commitment to the
prevention of damage by natural disasters and has taken the necessary measures
to avoid a catastrophe."
The risk
of disasters in Bangladesh is gradually decreasing. In 1971, cyclone
Bhola killed more than 400 thousand people. In
2009, when Cyclone Aila struck the country, many volunteers helped to rescue
the people and the death toll was below 200.
NGOs
contribution in reducing risks is also important. As
Geroge Gomes, head of the Catholic NGO Bangladesh Nazarene Mission, explained
to AsiaNews the last tropical storm had even fewer victims because evacuation
drills conducted among inhabitants of coastal areas were fundamental and the
fact that these were transferred on time to the appropriate security centers.
Meanwhile,
in Moore, Oklahoma, authorities have announced the end of rescue operations. The
town was razed to the ground and the death toll is 24 dead, including nine
children, and 240 injured. The economic
damage amounts to several billion dollars.