Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dacca (Agenzia Fides) - “Time is running out. This is a race to reach survivors of the typhoon disaster with the necessary humanitarian aid before it is too late, a race against epidemics, and before the Winter makes the situation worse” said a volunteer relief worker involved in assisting some of the 5 million people left homeless and totally dependent on international aid. Assistance is being planned and coordinated by the government with the international community and NGOs on the spot.
In a report sent to Fides Silvestre Halder, a member of Christian NGO Tearfund, says: “Every day we find thousands of people living in the open, with only the clothes they are wearing and no blankets to protect them from the cold night air. Winter is on its way and the temperature of 15 is falling fast. These people need food, clean water and blankets”. Helder recalls that Emergency Committee formed of 13 major NGOs working in Bangladesh, has made an appeal to the international community to which it is hoped many people will respond with solidarity.
Missionaries in Bangladesh said Sidr cyclone struck a country which was already one of the world's poorest and most densely populated: a population of 130 million and a density of circa 900 per sq km . In Bangladesh 50% of the people live on less than a dollar a day: 75% in rural areas, but the land-less are increasing and move towards the cities: urbanisation is a galloping process. The economy is continually hit by cyclones which affect farmers and fishermen the poorest and most vulnerable. “We are relying on the international community- the missionaries say - not to forget these people: millions of displaced persons need assistance”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2007 righe 25 parole 258)
