Situation Report – 1

Cyclonic Storm Hamoon

Date and Time: 24 October 2023, at 1:30 PM

The Cyclonic Storm 'Hamoon' has intensified into a

severe storm over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, and as
per the information from Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD), the Cyclonic Storm 'Hamoon' over
the Northwest and adjoining West-central Bay of
Bengal moved northeastwards with a speed of 18
km/h during the past 10 hours. The cyclonic storm will
likely move nearly north-northeast wards and cross
the Bangladesh coast between Barishal and Chittagong
decisions around noon on October 25 as a Deep
Depression.

As per today’s afternoon forecast of the Bangladesh

Meteorological Department (BMD), the Maritime ports
of Chattogram and Payra have been advised to hoist danger Signal 7. In contrast, Cox's Bazar and Mongla
ports have been asked to hoist danger Signals 6 and 5, respectively. Cox’s Bazar port has also been asked
to hoist danger signal 6.

Government and Non-Government Initiative:

- The government has instructed people in vulnerable areas to evacuate to shelters by 8 p.m. as
severe Cyclone Hamoon nears.
- A total of 860 cyclone shelters have been prepared, and the field administration and volunteers
are already at work. Those locations have already allocated money to provide cooked food,
drinking water, baby food, and cow fodder.
- Tk 2 million and 50 metric tons of rice have been allotted to each district. Said the state minister
of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. He also said Tuesday's official holiday had
been canceled, and field-level officers worked in the coastal region.
- Start Fund Bangladesh Disaster Risk Financing has been activated for Cyclone Hamoon. Start
Fund Bangladesh is releasing a pre-positioned 75,100.11 GBP to implement early actions as per
pre-planned contingency plans for the Patuakhali and Barguna districts. Start Bangladesh is
releasing 56,940 GBP in Patuakhali District 8 Unions and 18,161 GBP in Barguna District 3 unions.
- Most of the NGOs are coordinating with local government and relevant stakeholders.

AAB Program in the Predicted Affected Area:

- AAB has two LRPs in the predicted storm affected area; LRP- 50 in Patuakhali District and
LRP-48 in Chittagong District.
- Rohingya refugee camps are also vulnerable to the this storm and AAB has 8 projects in
the camps.
AAB Initiatives for the Upcoming Cyclonic Storm:

LRP Level Preparedness:

- Women leaders and staff of relevant LRP areas are well prepared and taking
preparedness action like coordination among the teams and local actors, including local
government and administration.
- AAB provided all necessary guidance to the partner staff and continued communication
to get time-to-time updates from the ground.
- Considering the current situation and prediction of the cyclone pathway, AAB is not
planning any EFAST deployment in the field. However, will do so if the necessity arises.
- The National EFAST meeting will be held tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., and the response plan
(if needed) will be prepared.

Preparedness Work in Rohingya Camps:

▪ Tied down all AAB managed communal centers and ready to shelter evacuated and
displaced families if needed.
▪ 700 volunteers are ready in 31 camps to extend emergency assistance to SMS, CiC, DMU
and the community if required.
▪ Centres are prepared for use as temporary communal shelters for women, girls, children
and women with disabilities if required.
▪ Site Management Support (SMS) team is vigilant in four AAB-managed camps (Camp 21,
Camp 26, Camp 27 & NRC) and continuing cyclone preparedness activities.
▪ SMS staff are coordinating with the CiCs regarding emergency camp-level Disaster
Management Committee (DMC) meetings, additionally coordinating with the actors
regarding keeping ready temporary communal shelters for emergency relocation and
checking emergency stockpiles.
▪ Two signal flags are hoisted on all flag poles (41 poles) after getting danger signal no. 6.
Volunteers are circulating cyclone awareness messages using megaphones, mosque mikes
and door-to-door messaging.
▪ Community awareness is ongoing through trained volunteers on cyclone preparedness
and women’s protection. Emergency Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) team is ready to support
affected people.
▪ Participants of the homestead gardening project have shaded the seedlings, moved small
sack bags into the shelter, and are preserving mature vegetables.
▪ 248 Rohingya volunteers are disseminating messages door-to-door in the 31 Camps about
the preparedness for Cyclones, Landslides, thunders, Flash floods etc.
Photos of some activities:

An emergency DMC meeting was held today in Camp 21 in coordination with the CiC office by SMS.

Two signal flags hoisted in all cyclone flag poles four AAB managed camps by SMS
 CBP volunteers are continuing cyclone preparedness messaging using megaphone.

SMS volunteers are mobilizing HHs living in high-risk areas for relocating to safer space.
 Volunteers are mobilizing to tie down shelters.

SMS volunteers are spreading cyclone preparedness messages using megaphones and door-to-door.