Tropical temperatures are the norm in Bangladesh.
But this weekend, an excessive cold snap claimed the lives of at least 100 people. In northwestern parts of the country, temperatures were close to freezing and a thick fog added to the misery. The German and Swedish Red Cross Societies airlifted blankets and warm clothing to vulnerable families, who could face more harsh weather over the next few weeks. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red coordinated the effort and is helping the Bangladesh Red Crescent purchase more blankets locally and rush them to the stricken communities. Unless we manage to achieve this response, the death toll will go up.