Southern Baptists are working with Bangladesh Baptist leaders to identify areas of greatest need after a Nov. 15 cyclone killed more than 3,100 people in the Ganges River delta along the Bay of Bengal.
An initial $50,000 in Southern Baptist relief funds has been released. Requests for additional funds are expected, because relief will be needed in multiple areas.
Cyclone Sidr, a category 4 storm, had 155-mph winds, which lashed houses made of bamboo. The death toll could reach 10,000 once rescuers reach outlying islands, according to assessments compiled by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, the Muslim equivalent of the International Red Cross.
The Bangladeshi government did a good job of getting relief supplies in place before the storm hit, said Jim Brown, U.S. director for Baptist Global Response, an international development and relief organization (see story, page 3).
Tents, rice and water are making their way into the region and military helicopters are dropping emergency rations into areas not yet accessible by road, according to news reports.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes, all their possessions and their means of livelihood, Brown said.
Southern Baptists have worked in Bangladesh for 50 years. This is just another opportunity for them to demonstrate that they are people who care by addressing those needs and helping them find hope and peace in their difficult circumstances, he said.
Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief arm of Baptist World Alliance, also is supporting relief efforts and has launched a worldwide appeal for funds.
“Once again the poorest of the poor have been hit worst, and need our full support,” said BWAid Director Paul Montacute. “We will be working with Baptists in Bangladesh, the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation and other Baptist groups in providing help and assistance.
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