Thousands still stranded after Cyclone Aila

Three days after Cyclone Aila swept through Bangladesh, relief organization World Vision says thousands of families remain marooned, sleeping outside and unable to return to their homes. The organization is also concerned about the threat of waterborne illnesses which can easily spread in areas with stagnant water or in dense populations without proper sanitation.

"People are sleeping under the open sky with no shelter. They're on high grounds and wherever they can find dry land," said John Gomes, World Vision's communication officer in Bangladesh. "There has also been significant damage to infrastructure. Embankments and roads have been damaged and thousands of mud-built houses have collapsed or washed away."

World Vision has begun distributing rice and filtered water to almost 80,000 affected people. "Our staff are providing clean water and sanitation supplies to try and stave off disease." Gomes said.

The organization has also installed a water purification unit in Mongla which has provided 22,000 liters of clean water to 16,000 families. Two other units will be installed shortly in Assasuni and the severely-affected Shyamnagar sub-district in Satkhira. World Vision is working hand-in-hand with the local government administration and fire brigade to help distribute additional drinking water and relief supplies to the affected people in the remote areas of Mongla.

Nearly 80,000 acres of crops were destroyed and 270,000 homes damaged or swept away by the eight-foot storm surge which tore through coastal districts. World Vision's disaster response teams helped evacuate thousands of people to 15 school-cyclone shelters, each one accommodating up to 2,000 people.

In neighboring India, 68 people were killed by heavy rains that caused deadly mudslides and slowed rescue efforts. World Vision has been conducting assessments in West Bengal to determine the greatest needs. Some houses in Kolkata had collapsed and aid was being provided out of emergency relief funds. The organization has three pre-positioning unitsâ€"two based near Kolkataâ€"stocked with emergency items that are ready to go if needed.

After Cyclone Sidr devastated the coastal districts of Bangladesh in 2007, World Vision provided emergency supplies to more than 100,000 people. World Vision has been active in Bangladesh since 1972 and helps about four million people with relief and development.