Community Development Centre (CODEC)

a) enabling settings to maximize social equity and minimize social exclusion;
b) self organizing structures and processing;
c) coastal community based people institution building and process; and
d) access and control economic resources and reducing income erosion.

Vision
Improve the social and economic conditions and positions of the under privileged coastal and riverine communities in Bangladesh. The coastal and riverine communities should be empowered to take active participation in the political process towards their rights and livelihoods.

Mission Statement
Coastal & riverine Communities participate in the mainstream development process and realize economic benefits through empowerment and institutions.

Devastated Cyclone Sidr and Response of CODEC



On 15 November the category 4 cyclone called Sidr hits most parts across the country specially the south western coastal belt of Bangladesh. As many as out of 64 districts, 962 unions of 133 Upazilla (Sub districts) under 26 districts have been devastated affecting around 8873810 families. The cyclone affected areas of have gone under tidal surge (11 to 20 ft) and ferocious wind speed of 220-240 Km per hour caused huge damages of lives and other resources. Among 26 districts, most of the worst affected districts are Patuakhali, Barguna and Bagerhat.

Giving a clear picture of damages at this stage is very difficult as communication of most of the affected areas snapped. The loss as predicted both by government and non government indicates that it will be a severe blow to the economy, which is already suffering huge losses from back-to-back floods in the middle of this year. However, all the media and government sources mentioned that the resource losses are increasing in congruence with time and it will take a week minimum to get an overall scenario.

In addition Cyclone Sidr caused colossal damage to standing crops of the south and south-western districts. A rough estimate calculated that the cyclone has ravaged 60 percent of Aman crops standing across 969360 acres of land in the coastal districts. Crop (Paddy) fully damaged 738232 acre, Partial damaged 231128 acre. Livestock killed 242355 nos. Poultries damaged 10000 small farms caused death to 500000 poultry birds. Fisheries damaged 5000 shrimp and prawn farms (in only Barguna districts, 800 ponds washed away). Other Crops damaged winter vegetables, oil seeds, pulses, betel nut, coconut, and seedbeds of boro rice and thousands of Trees are uprooted.

On the other hand the government officials said that the cyclone has razed at least 75 educational institutions where as the non official sources mentioned that 29,991education institutes are partially or fully damaged.

Cyclone Sidr also extend its damage to the sources of safe drinking water of the south-western regions. Usually the people of this regions uses pond water and preserved rain water in big mud made pitcher for drinking purpose (those are not included in anti saline water intrusion embankment). Due to the tidal upsurge, the mud made pitchers are damaged and all the ponds are now full with saline water which is not possible for using as drinking purpose. On the other hand, within the embankment area most of the hand tubes wells are now out of order or uprooted by the devastating cyclones. Peoples of this region are now rushing for the safe drinking water.

At this stage, millions of affected people have been facing acute shortage of food, drinking water, medicine and other necessary things. They have been passing their days in a very distressed condition. Various intestinal diseases including diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, respiratory track infection and skin diseases are spreading fast among the affected people. The people of the affected areas expressed that the relief materials distributed by the government are insufficient.

CODEC first responded with its own resources (contribution from CODEC personnel) in Saronkhola Upazilla and it was appreciated that CODEC support was the first relief initiatives taken in that affected area. CODEC also started its relief operation in Patuakhali and Barguna areas with the financial support from The Royal Danish Embassy and in Bagerhat with the financial support from NETZ (Germany). The Save The Children UK assisted CODEC to open three “Day Centres” in Patuakhali and Barguna where more than 750 children are getting shelter in day time along with food and entertainment support. RDRS and NISHORGO also contributed from their own fund to help the distressed people. CODEC Management is grateful to the general public of Chittagong those are cordially contributing support (mainly clothes) for the distressed through CODEC. Special thanks to the students of Chittagong University for their contribution. CODEC admires and appreciates to Mr. G. M. Azmal Ali Kawser, student of Management Department Chittagong University for his noble endeavor.

CODEC Received Fund Support:
 

Donor/ Individual	Taka
The Royal DANISH Embassy, Dhaka	3263,000
NETZ Bangladesh	88,67,588
Save the Children, UK	9,00,000
R D R S	400,000
N S P Staff Salary	59,693
Chittagong University Student	5,000
STROMME Foundation	580,000
CODEC Staff Team	1,75,000

SF Fund Support through Partner NGOs:

NGOs	Taka	Remarks
R D F – Barguna	80,000	From Stromme Foundation  Fund
I S W A – Barguna	50,000
C R U P D A - Barguna	50,000
S B G U P - Pirojpur	50,000

Organized Three Children Camps for Lunch and Recreation in Affected Areas:
 

No.	District	Upazilla	Number of Camp	Number of Children
01.	Patuakhali	Kalapara	01	255
		Amtoli	01	250
02	Barguna	Barguna Sadar	01	230

The following items have been distributing among the distressed men, women and children those are victims of devastated cyclone in Patuakhali, Barguna and Bagerhat area:
Rice, pulse, salt, oil, potato, milk, sugar, mineral water, flattened rice, water purifying tablet, Lungi, Sari, Shawl, baby dress, blanket, towel, candle, matches, ORS, soap, primary health medicines, sanitary napkins, sweater for children, alma, bleaching powder, Lamp, utensils etc.