EMERGENCY relief work has been a key feature of Salvation Army ministry in Bangladesh since the country was created in 1971. In late 2007 the Salvation Army's experienced emergency relief teams were deployed again to assist communities affected by Cyclone Sidr. Following consultation with the local government they were assigned to undertake relief activities in the Gopalgong district, an area with existing Salvation Army presence.
The immediate priority was for food supplies so parcels consisting of rice, lentils, oil and salt were distributed to 3,216 families. In total, more than 16,000 people were fed by The Salvation Army. Many agencies supported impacted families in the coastal regions but the inland areas such as The Salvation Army worked in have not seen the same levels of support. 'The people in this area are very grateful to The Salvation Army,' said Ashim Kumar Biswas, chairman of the region. 'No other organisation has given us any assistance!'
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| Anjali Bainagee, in the red sari, shows Salvation Army team members her shelter |
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| Damaris Frick and Major Mike Caffull meet Ashim Kumar Biswas, chairman of the region The Salvation Army is working in |
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| Nine-year-old Mala Adikary writes her name for the Salvation Army team |
The cyclone destroyed most of the rice seedlings and farmers are concerned as to what this will mean for the future. In order to try to prevent a further catastrophe, The Salvation Army distributed rice seed to the farmers. Major Mike Caffull, International Emergency Services Field Operations officer, reports, 'It will enable them to plant again and, we hope, have a good harvest in four months'.
Mala Adikary is a bright nine-year-old girl. When the cyclone started her mother took her hand and ran out of the house. 'I was very afraid!' she says. Fortunately, no family members were hurt. Mala's family has received food parcels from The Salvation Army which helped them through the first tough weeks.
The next part of The Salvation Army’s response will be the reconstruction and repairing of houses. Anjali Bainagee showed team members her shelter. The pillars and the walls of her family’s house are destroyed but fortunately the roof of is still there. She was happy to hear about The Salvation Army’s plans to assist them in rebuilding their house.
After two major floods the cyclone is the third disaster to hit Bangladesh in 2007. With The Salvation Army's help, people like Mala Adikary and Anjali Bainagee may be able to start the next year with hope and with the feeling that some people in the world care about them.
