November 21, 2007

CHICAGO – Cyclone Sidr left more than 3,000 people dead and millions homeless after it struck the coast of Bangladesh in Southern Asia on Nov. 15. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), through its International Disaster Response, is sending an initial $50,000 to assist disaster response organizations that have mobilized to provide emergency food, medical support and temporary shelter.

The cyclone triggered a 15-foot water surge that inundated the coastal towns of Patuakhali, Barguna and Jhalakathi, with a combined population of 700,000. Disaster response organizations worldwide are providing survivors with basic necessities, including water, rice, medicine and shelter.

ELCA funds are channeled through Action by Churches Together (ACT). ACT's coordinated response will be implemented by several faith-based organizations in Bangladesh, including Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh (LHCB).

"We are sharing our resources and whatever we have with those who are suffering in the areas that we serve. Please pray for us at this time," said Benedict Bijoy Baroi, LHCB executive director.

"The devastation is widespread throughout the country, and the effects go beyond the dead and the injured. Trees and power lines are down, blocking roads and causing major electrical blackouts throughout much of the country," Baroi reported. "Much of the infrastructure in affected areas has been destroyed. Drinking water is a major issue, as saline water has gotten into drinking water in the coastal area, and carcasses – both human and animal – have further polluted drinking water," he said.

In the aftermath of the cyclone, LHCB is giving out seven- day supplies of food, water purification pills and other supplies to 300 families. It plans to reach out to 5,000 families in the Patuakhali and Madaripur districts, areas where LHCB actively engages in such ongoing programs as digging deep wells.

Other ACT response organizations are Christian Commission for Development Bangladesh, Social Health and Education Development Board, the Church of Bangladesh and Christian Aid.

Coordinated by ELCA Global Mission, International Disaster Response channels its funds through international church organizations and relief agencies. ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergency situations worldwide. It is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), in Geneva. The ELCA is a member of the WCC and LWF.

The home page of Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh is at http://www.lhcb.org/ on the Web.

ELCA News Service