VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 12/03/07) - International Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA has provided a $10,000 disaster relief grant to help with relief and recovery in Bangladesh after Cyclone Sidr struck two weeks ago.
The grant, funded by One Great Hour of Sharing, was requested by Rev. Stan Murray, area director for Southeast Asia, and global consultant Walt White. It will go to Symbiosis Bangladesh, a local partner and development agency, which will use the money to reconstruct homes and replace important livestock and other animals that families lost due to the cyclone.
According to media reports, Sidr struck on Nov. 15, causing a 15-foot water surge that crippled coastal areas, and has caused the deaths of an estimated 3,500 people. More than 2 million people have been displaced, according to reports.
"We are very grateful for the relief funds being provided by several agencies, including American Baptist through their One Great Hour of Sharing," said White, who is the U.S. representative of Symbiosis. White, who had served jointly for International Ministries and the Australian Baptists in Bangladesh, helped start Symbiosis 12 years ago. The development agency focuses on integrated rural development, health, women and children, and vocational training.
White said more than $65,000 is being raised, which will be used to provide immediate assistance of $200 per cyclone-affected family. The money will be used to either replace livestock and other animals killed, or to rebuild homes with a strong concrete pillar in the center, and tin roofs. The homes are primarily made of bamboo, which has to be replaced regularly. White said the goal would be to build new homes where at least a foundation could remain if there was another major storm.
Bangladesh, almost entirely surrounded by Northeast India and a small part of Myanmar, is in a low-lying area, which is vulnerable to cyclones. A storm in 1970 killed about half a million people, and another storm in 1991, caused over 143,000 deaths.
American Baptists wishing to support ongoing Bangladesh efforts can do so through their church's monthly report of mission support, designating contributions "OGHS-Bangladesh Cyclone." For online contributions, go to the Give option available at www.abc-usa.org.
In 1950, several American Protestant denominations merged their campaigns for relief to create what is now known as the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). American Baptists joined this effort in 1973. The collective effort raises about $20 million annually for development aid, disaster relief and refugee resettlement assistance in more than 70 countries around the world.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/