Cyclone Sidr Devastates Millions in Bangladesh
Hurricane “SIDR” the tropical Cyclone hit the coastal belt of Bangladesh on November 15, 2007 left behind a trail of devastation.
Hurricane “SIDR” the tropical Cyclone hit the coastal belt of Bangladesh on November 15, 2007 left behind a trail of devastation. The districts which are severly affected include Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Narail, Gopalganj, Jessore, Borguna, Patuakhali, Perojpur, Jhalakati, Barisal, Bhola, Luxmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar. This Category 5 hurricane has caused massive and non-refundable losses to the lives of people, animals and resources.
The latest news reports estimate deaths at over 3000. Millions are homeless. Estimates of the destruction of homes range from a quarter to a half a million with many additional homes damaged. In addition, there are estimates that nearly a quarter million livestock are destroyed. The loss of life might have been much higher, but for the evacuations ordered by the government as the storm closed in. Many were moved to emergency shelters and were provided with short-term rations, cash and blankets.
Global Ministries Partners, the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) and the Church of Bangladesh are responding to the crisis. ACT (Action by Churches Together) is also responding. The United Church of Christ and the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ are members of ACT. CCDB, also an ACT member, formed an Emergency Monitoring Team to keep regular contact with Cox’s Bazar, Barisal, Gopalganj, and Jessore project offices. The field staffs of Barisal and Gopalgonj have already done the initial assessment of the damages caused by the cyclone. They have started distributing plastic sheets to build temporary shelter and child’s garments among the affected people. An initial assessment is also going on with the staff members of Monirupur under Jessore district in Mongla port and some part of Khulna district, one of the severely affected region of the cyclone calamity where CCDB planned to provide emergency and rehabilitation response. Two of the project areas of CCDB namely Gopalgonj and Gournadi were heavily affected by the recent cyclone. They are in real need of food, shelter, clothing and water.
Much of the southern part of Bangladesh is a delta and is barely above sea level. Much of this low land is very fertile and would be highly desirable for agriculture if it weren’t so vulnerable to tropical storms. The very poorest people in Bangladesh are the ones who usually take the risk to cultivate these lands and they are often the ones who pay the dearest price when violent storms strike.
To express your compassion for the people affected by Cyclone Sidr:
- Pray for the victims, their families and the many who are working to provide relief and rehabilitation assistance.
- Make donations to Global Ministries partners in the region: The Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh and the Church of Bangladesh. Checks may be sent to:
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Global Ministries |
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Global Ministries |
For more information on the situation and our partners’ response please contact Debra Frantz, Associate for Project Coordination, 216-736-3231 or frantzd@ucc.org.
UCC One Great Hour of Sharing helps provide support to 35,500 survivors of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh Disciples Week of Compassion response