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Bangladesh-The death toll from Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh could reach 10,000 once rescuers get to outlying islands. International aid organizations have promised assistance to the tune of $25 million to get food and temporary shelter to the survivors and help them plan for a future.That's key, says Jacob Kramer with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. He says their partner is working in Batakali, Galachipa and Kalapara, areas still reeling from the storm's impact."We've got to organize the supply lines, and a lot of the roads are washed out. It's helping the people for today and for tomorrow. Then, we will hope to respond in a stronger way with a distribution of at least one month or two months. We will follow that up with looking at the agricultural effects."The cyclone destroyed at least 600,000 tons of rice in the fields. That is expected to make an existing food shortage even worse. Agriculture officials estimate a shortfall of over 1.6 million tons this season. Storm damage exacerbated the damage caused by multiple floods in July-September.Powerful storm surges washed away nearly 30 percent of the country's shrimp farms, and the standing water will hamper preparations for planting winter crops including wheat, potatoes and oil seeds.Kramer notes that this could well pave the way to ministry later."They are known to the population as Christians who bring health care and who now, in their time of need, are there again with food. That is a strong witness to the people both in word and in deed. We pray that we will have good opportunity to show the love of Christ."As in the days of Noah...
