When Cyclone Sidr ravaged parts of southwestern Bangladesh in November, AmeriCares immediately sent 20 tons of emergency medicines and medical supplies to the remote towns that suffered the most damage, especially in the Barisal district. Bangladesh officials reported that more than six million people were affected, over 3,000 died and nearly 564,000 homes were destroyed.

AmeriCares Emergency Response Manager Jonathan Hodgdon arrived in the country just days after the disaster to better understand the most pressing needs. He quickly assessed the damage and arranged the delivery and distribution of emergency aid, which included antibiotics and analgesics. The first shipment from AmeriCares headquarters in Stamford, CT arrived on Thanksgiving Day, with the second arriving two days later. They were among the first shipments to arrive in the country, clear customs and head directly to the communities most affected by the cyclone. According to our partners on the ground, more than 90 percent of the medicines provided by AmeriCares were essential to meeting the immediate health care needs of the Bangladeshi population. "Our partner's health and logistics teams expressed surprise and gratitude at the size and timely delivery of our emergency medical donation," said Hodgdon. AmeriCares two air shipments into Bangladesh were critical in reducing the spread of disease and illness associated with overcrowded shelters and lack of clean water and sanitation that result from large-scale disasters like a cyclone. Most of the ailments the doctors treated included injuries, fever, dysentery, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems.