Oxfam has launched a Bangladesh Cyclone appeal, calling on the Scottish public to donate for the cyclone stricken area.

The appeal comes as the scale of devastation and necessary relief effort becomes apparent. Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi are returning to their homes to find complete ruin, an estimated 273,000 homes have been lost, crops are damaged and there are increasing water and sanitation concerns. To donate to the Oxfam appeal, the public can:

• Call the appeal hotline: 0870 333 2500
• Donate cash, credit card or cheque at any Oxfam shop
• Donate online at: www.oxfam.org.uk

What your donation could buy:

• £35 will provide hygiene kits for two families that contain soap, towels, washing bowls, sanitary pads and other essential items.
• £50 will provide 20 buckets to store safe clean water.
• £100 will provide hygiene kits for six families.

Oxfam has been working with local partners since Cyclone Sidr struck on Thursday, with teams in the worst-hit southern districts of Daerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna and Patuakhali assessing and providing urgent relief such as sanitation and food and water. The money raised will be used to continue to provide immediate relief to over 80,000 people - essential sanitation, food and water, shelter, well and latrine cleaning, and debris clearing, as well as helping people get back on their feet.

Heather Blackwell, Head of Oxfam in Bangladesh said, "The scale of this disaster is enormous. Up to three million people are affected. We are seeing families who have lost everything. The Scottish public are incredibly generous and we urgently need their support to help us save and rebuild people's lives.

"People here are resilient. However the scale is such that it will take months for people to be able to return to their normal lives. With an estimated 75 percent of crops in the Southern region destroyed, this disaster will require a long-term relief effort.

Malcolm Fleming, acting Head of Oxfam Scotland added, "Oxfam really needs the Scottish public to get behind this appeal, the number of people affected by the cyclone is huge. Even if you can only spare a couple of pounds it will make a difference. £35 will provide hygiene kits for two families that can make a difference to their health and well- being."

ENDS