Back to Bangladesh: one month on

Workers from emergency relief charity ActionAid reflect on progress made since Bangladesh's devastating cyclone and the pressing challenges that remain.

Read their diary from a month ago

NAIMA CHOWDHURY - 14 DECEMBER

I have spent the last few weeks travelling around some of the worst-hit areas by the coast.

Some children cannot sleep because they are so scared

People still line the streets, living amongst the debris and fallen trees, and the stench of dead bodies still lingers in the air.

One month on, and the situation remains dire.

Some people are benefiting from the aid, others are left on the sidelines because they are too weak to stand in the queue and wait.

I was speaking to one elderly lady who had lost an eye in the cyclone. She had received little food because she wasn't strong enough to tussle with the other women in the crowd.

I am particularly anxious about shelter. Around 40% of those affected are still living in the open, with the sky as their roof.

This is one of the most pressing issues, because having a home would help with the healing process.

It is also very frustrating because houses that have been slightly damaged are not getting fixed because of the limited tools and resources.

Fragile future

People can't resume work because they need to spend time waiting for aid, which right now is their only priority.

I have heard stories of men promising girls a better life in Dhaka and this really worries me.

But as long as we can get a regular distribution of food to these people, we can avoid this - because it is usually hunger that leads these girls into the arms of the traffickers.

After sunset in one town, children started crying and shouting to keep the water out of their homes

ActionAid's relief team have been working hard throughout the month, but we now need to concentrate on addressing psychological needs that will help with long-term rehabilitation.

I have noticed how badly children have been affected.

After sunset in one town, children started crying and shouting to keep the water out of their homes. They were having sleepless nights because they were so frightened.

Their schools, which might help them get over what has happened, have been completely destroyed and none of them can afford books or pencils.

People have no clear view on what their future holds so their will to live is fading.

SHAMSHER ALI - 14 DECEMBER

I have spent the last few weeks working in Shoronkola, Bagerhat and Mongla.

These were some of the worst-hit areas and evidence of the cyclone surrounds us.

With only rations of food and having nowhere to call home, they find it hard to look forward to the future

My colleagues and I have been spending time assessing and working on the psychological effects the cyclone has had on people.

People are concerned for their livelihood and are anxious because they can't see any long-term hope.

Many feel stigmatised by the rest of the community, because they have reached new levels of poverty.

Firm faith

The mental shock of what has happened has only just begun to sink in.

The mood wherever we go is sombre and you can see that people are trying to return to normality, but with only rations of food and having nowhere to call home, they find it hard to look forward to the future.

The local doctor is not fully equipped or qualified to deal with the concerns of these people.

There are no opportunities here so the government should think about joining up with local NGOs to provide tools and to help fishermen with resources so that they can return to work.

I see a lot of people praying. They say they are asking God for strength to overcome this hard time.

These people have lost everything but their faith in God is untouched. I hope their prayers are answered.