News at ABWE
Cyclone Sidr Hits Bangladesh
November 19, 2007
Cyclone Sidr did a lot of damage in the western part of the country, with its 150 mph winds and seven to ten foot tidal waves. In the Barisal and Kulna areas, over 1,100 people were killed, thousands more still missing. Many homes and trees were destroyed. The ready-for-harvesting rice crop and most of the shrimp farms were destroyed. Many of our workers at the hospital have families in that area. Their homes have been leveled and they are living on the road. Already high prices for basic foodstuffs jumped up 50 to 100%.
We are thankful that our ministries were spared from the brunt of the storm. We are grateful that the government was able to evacuate nearly three million people to cyclone shelters or higher ground before the storm struck. But we are sobered by the losses to those in the areas hardest hit.
Pray for relief efforts in the days ahead to reach those who are truly in need. Pray for restoration of the power grid and emergency services. Pray that prices of food and essentials would not soar any higher, as the poor are already suffering. Pray for protection and fruit in our ministries as we continue to introduce Bangladeshis to Him who is our shelter in the midst of any storm.