Bangladesh Cyclone Relief Update 2: Hafiza's Story

Bramwell Ryan, a Canadian Salvationist photographer who was working in the region when the storm hit, is with a Salvation Army relief team in the Gopalgong district. Here he tells the story of one of the families he has met:

I CAUGHT up with Captain Kalpona Biswas as she crossed a small lake to visit two particularly badly hit homes, talk with the owners and determine the extent of their need. These homes were out in the open and not tucked in among trees. They did not suffer from falling trees, as many other houses have, but the wind was forceful enough to cause extensive damage.

The story of Hafiza Begum, 45, is especially touching. Hafiza lives with her husband, a day labourer, one of her five sons and his wife, 18-year-old Taslima. Their home, completed last year, represents seven years of savings. This was all the family owned.

The son was a rickshaw driver but just before Cyclone Sidr struck his rickshaw was stolen. With a husband with intermittent income and a son with no income now his vehicle is gone, the family has no home and no revenue. When the storm struck it not only collapsed their home, but the internal wooden pillars were all snapped, making them no longer useful for rebuilding. With the Bangladesh winter almost here, the family is looking to The Salvation Army and others for food, seed and possibly building supplies.

Food rations – rice and lentils – are being distributed by Salvation Army teams to around 12,500 people. Farmers will be supported with seeds to replant rice fields and shelter materials are being distributed to help reconstruct damaged homes.

An appeal for support has been launched and donors are invited to send funds to the ‘Bangladesh Cyclone and Flood Appeal’ at Salvation Army International Headquarters.