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Cyclone Sidr: No Calm After the Storm
by We've now watched Cylcone Sidr ravage Bangladesh and surrounding areas. The death toll is rising and the region will undoubtedly take a very long time to recover. Bangladesh is an extremely low laying country and marine geologists have long understood how vulnerable it already is to sea level rise.
To provide some perspective, the cyclone brought winds sustained at nearly 150 mph and storm surges reportedly over 20 feet. Over 3,000 casualties are already reported with far more injured and missing - not to mention over 3 million homeless. At such a monumental scale, it becomes difficult to fathom what those numbers mean. The lack of communication from the nationwide power outage makes it hard for reporters and aid workers to asses exactly what has taken place. What we do know is that we're experiencing a tremendous humanitarian crisis.
While it will take many months to understand the true extent of Cyclone Sidr's impact, now is the time to provide support. Over at The Intersection, Chris and I put up a youtube video which seems to be eliciting donations, so I will repost it here:
In the United States, we've watched from half a world away as homes, possessions, animals, and countless human lives have been washed away. Now as we approach Thanksgiving in this country, I hope that everyone continues to remember those in need of food, clean water, shelter, and medical attention because we are, indeed ONE WORLD.
Some links to offer donations:
We've now watched Cylcone Sidr ravage Bangladesh and surrounding areas. The death toll is rising and the region will undoubtedly take a very long time to recover. Bangladesh is an extremely low laying country and marine geologists have long understood how vulnerable it already is to sea level rise.
To provide some perspective, the cyclone brought winds sustained at nearly 150 mph and storm surges reportedly over 20 feet. Over 3,000 casualties are already reported with far more injured and missing - not to mention over 3 million homeless. At such a monumental scale, it becomes difficult to fathom what those numbers mean. The lack of communication from the nationwide power outage makes it hard for reporters and aid workers to asses exactly what has taken place. What we do know is that we're experiencing a tremendous humanitarian crisis.
While it will take many months to understand the true extent of Cyclone Sidr's impact, now is the time to provide support. Over at The Intersection, Chris and I put up a youtube video which seems to be eliciting donations, so I will repost it here:
In the United States, we've watched from half a world away as homes, possessions, animals, and countless human lives have been washed away. Now as we approach Thanksgiving in this country, I hope that everyone continues to remember those in need of food, clean water, shelter, and medical attention because we are, indeed ONE WORLD.
Some links to offer donations:
Tags: Cyclone Sidr Bangladesh
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November 19, 2007 7:57 AM
Linda
Besides the aid that the U.S. is currently pledging, 25 million, plus ships with helicopters to distribute supplies and food, I would think that many other humanitarian groups, like the one President Clinton heads, would also come forward. As you say, in this time of sharing and Thanksgiving here, we need to count our blessings, and reach out to the overwhelming need over there.
November 19, 2007 10:57 AM
Katherine
I've seen this video circulating the internet. Sheril, you are inspiring.
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