Kumar Periasamy, director of international disaster relief at OBI, is on the ground in the cyclone-devastated Barguna district of Bangladesh. After spending a few days in-country, he reports on what he saw.

In one village, more than 400 people died and 1,000 are still missing.

BARGUNA, Bangladesh – Just before boarding the boat to our destination there was already a crowd staring at us. There were hardly any smiles, just a gloomy stare. No words were spoken; their faces told the story of their distress.

Many thoughts were probably going through their mind, but the cyclone left them speechless. Lives and possessions have been lost; the rich have become poor; and the poor...even more poor.

As the boat moved away from the shore, I was hoping to find a different scenario at our destination. However, that was not the case.

A crowd came running to us with curiosity, but displayed little emotions. I asked people to tell me their stories,but no one said a word.

The only response I heard was people saying, "The sea has become our enemy."

OBI has teamed up with German partner, Humedica, to offer medical care to the victims of Cyclone Sidr.

More than 400 people died in this village and more than 1,000 are still missing. I was told of a family of five who lost four of their family members during the cyclone. Traumatized, the lone survivor will not speak, eat or leave her home.

I spoke with another lady who told me she lost two of her nieces. Once she uttered those words, however, she couldn't speak anymore. All hopes that she and others had for their loved ones have been stolen right before their eyes and now only the memories seem to taunt them.

However, there is hope. Since the early days of the disaster, OBI's German partner Humedica has been providing medical care to victims in need. At one clinic, more than 100 people were treated.

In the next few days, we are also expecting a shipment of four water purification systems to arrive to begin supplying thousands of gallons of clean drinking water a day to victims.

Our teams continue to work daily to bring medical care, relief, and most importantly, hope to those affected by this disaster.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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