On November 15, Bangladesh was hit by the devastating Cyclone "Sidr" which brought havoc to the south & middle part of the country. "NASA" categorized the cyclone as category 4 with a wind speed of  220 -  260 km. The tidal wave was 10 - 15 ft high, sweeping over the coastal areas. It destroyed houses, crops, cattle and killed more than 3,000 people. Four million people have been displaced and 15,000 were injured. Simple houses in village after village were almost wiped out. Villages who had already lost their crops to the floods this summer, now have nothing. Church and school buildings were also damaged.

Our contact, Rev. Jonathan, shared with us, "A newspaper gives the story of a mother holding her baby with one hand and clinging onto the branch of a tree fighting the vicious blow of 20 ft tidal wave and 240 km wind storm trying to save her and her child. And the fight went on for five hours after which the village people found the child and the mother still alive!  Thousands of "drama in real life" situations like this have happened. The Red Cross estimates the death toll will eventually be over 10,000.  With many children left as orphans. An utter destruction of crops, cattle, houses, roads, communication and electric supply took place.  People are getting sick every day with hunger, polluted water and diseases. It seems the dead ones are better off then the ones who now live."  

He continued to share that "The Church in Bangladesh has come forward to help, but the needs are too vast.  Right now the immediate need is for food and clean water. Salvage work has also begun. After meeting the immediate need for food and clean water, the need will be to rebuild simple houses for those who have lost their homes. Please pray with us for God's mercy and compassion." 

If you would like to help, please contact us at info@asianoutreach.org or our nearest office.  US$20 will help feed a family for a week, and US$600 will help rebuild a simple village house.  Let us join hands with our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh to rebuild the nation, and demonstrate the Love of Christ in a practical manner."