DHAKA, May 28, 2014 (BSS) - A total of 22,571 BRAC personnel, community health workers and volunteers worked at the field level to help the survivors of cyclone Remal that hit the Bangladesh coast Sunday evening.

A total of 8,450 BRAC community health workers and volunteers supported families living in vulnerable conditions, including children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and persons with disabilities, according to a BRAC release.

Some 14,121 BRAC personnel, among whom 5,863 are women, disseminated warning and preparedness messages through door-to-door visits and supporting families in vulnerable conditions to evacuate. The Human Resources Department at BRAC had also launched a 'Staff Tracker' for all offices in the coastal districts, the release said. 

A total of 385 people took shelter in three BRAC offices located in Bagerhat, which are being used as shelters. Additionally, 183 families took shelter in a total of 36 mini-cyclone shelters of BRAC in Patuakhali, Bhola, Barguna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat. 

According to the BRAC press release, 1,680 packets of dry food were provided in cyclone shelters through local government institutions. BRAC also provided anticipatory early action (AEA)-based cash grant support to 50 participants from Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district, each receiving BDT 5,000. 

BRAC is actively conducting a comprehensive damage and needs assessment which will guide to further support in the affected communities. 

With winds reaching 90 to 120 km/h and heavy rainfall, cyclone Remal made landfall at the Khepupara (now Kalapara) coast of Bangladesh, southwest of Mongla.