Thousands Perish in Bangladesh Cyclone Cyclone Sidr hit the south coast of Bangladesh on November 15 with winds exceeding 150 miles an hour. It has killed more than 3,500 people. Thousands more are missing. The category five hurricane drove more than 1.5 million people from their homes. Over two thousand shelters have been opened, but the need for food and other essential resources is critical. As a part of Church World Service (CWS), RCWS is working through Action by Churches Together (ACT) International to distribute rice, pulses, salt, and oil, as well as oral rehydration salts. The initial assistance will ensure two meals a day for at least five days, targeting particularly vulnerable groups of people including widows, children, the elderly, disabled people, and those without land. Distribution will focus on the districts of Bagerhat, Barisal, Gopalganj, Khulna, and Madarapur.  Church of Bangladesh Christian Aid and the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh have been working with CWS partners and ACT members to assess early recovery and longer-term rehabilitation needs. Relief officials say the situation is dire for survivors. "Food, shelter and medicine are badly needed for the survivors," Renata Lok Dessallien told the Reuters news agency after visiting areas badly hit by the cyclone. Dessallien is the United Nations resident representative in Bangladesh. As many as 3 million survivors may need assistance, Reuters reported. In addition to the 150-mile-per-hour-winds, some areas were also hit by a 16-foot tidal surge. Reformed Church World Service will continue to work with its partners to assess long-term needs and will invest in recovery and redevelopment efforts as funds become available. Please pray for those who have lost family members, as well as for the many people who have been displaced.  Contributions to support this relief and recovery efforts (designated "RCWS Bangladesh Cyclone") can be sent to Reformed Church in America, P.O. Box 19381, Newark, NJ 07195-1938 or, in Canada, to Regional Synod of Canada, 1985 Beke Road, R.R. #4, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S5. To donate by credit card, click on the Make a Donation button or call the Michigan Regional Center at (800) 968-3943. Photos courtesy of REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman. Updated 11/29/07
|