CYCLONE SIDR
Emergency Alert — Updated November 20, 2007
You can help
our local partners
provide needed assistance.
|
Background:
Cyclone Sidr hit the coastal part of Bangladesh on November 15. The category 5 cyclone has already claimed more than 3,000 lives with the death
toll still rising. The extent of the evastation caused from the cyclone is not
yet known, but this cyclone is said to be more violent than the cyclone that
occurred in April 1991 which left 143,000 people dead.
With winds of 220 — 240 kph (136 — 149 mph) the cyclone has destroyed
homes, crops, schools and roads as well as Causing electricity and communications problems.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes
and are taking refuge in cyclone shelters and schools while some are living
without any shelter or protection from the elements.
| LWR AND PARTNERS ARE HELPING |
Lutheran World Relief is a contributing member of Action by Churches Together (ACT) who will be sending $50,000 initially to aid in the cyclone relief. The LWR-ACT response includes family relief packages comprising of
essential food items such as rice, beans, edible oil, salt and oral dehydration
saline. The relief packages will aid more than 7,000 families (over 35,000
individuals).
Special attention is being paid to women, children, the elderly and disabled. LWR-ACT anticipates to have dispersed all packages within three weeks.
The best way to assist people caught in an emergency is to give cash so that our partner staff on the ground can be most effective.
To contribute online, click below. You will be given the opportunity to choose “Asia Disaster Response” for your contribution.
Your gift will be used to respond to the “Asia Disaster Response” until needs there are met. After that, further gifts will be used to help LWR respond where the need is greatest. Please also consider making an unrestricted donation which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.
During regular business hours, Monday through Friday, you may also call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2, or mail a check or money order to:
Lutheran World Relief -
Asia Disaster Response
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
USA
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Lee, 410-230-2715, dlee@lwr.org
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility. LWR is a member of Action by Churches Together.
