According to Reuters, Cyclone Sidr has caused 587 deaths and thousands of injuries, numbers that are feared to soar higher as response efforts continue. An estimated 3.2 million people have been displaced from their homes. Based on past experience responding to cyclones, Global Medic expects that the medical needs of the affected population will be supplies to help treat traumatic injuries, antibiotics to help treat water born-illness, and antifungal medications for skin infections. A cyclone, called a hurricane or typhoon in other world regions, is a low pressure system with high velocity spiraling winds. In the case of Sidr, these winds triggered a 15-foot tidal surge that violently struck populated areas and easily flooded Bangladesh's low topography. Global Medic worked in the floods in Bangladesh earlier this year and has pre-positioned assets in the country including an inflatable field hospital and water purification units.

Muslim Aid, our in country partner has asked for our assistance. We are in the process of loading humanitarian aid items including essential medicines water purification tablets, and water purification equipment. We will likely be deploying a water and medical team but are just awaiting confirmation from the Muslim Aid staff on the ground. That team will likely leave on Monday for a 10 day operation.