Church groups mobilize after cyclone leaves hundreds dead

Church people are mobilizing relief supplies after a powerful cyclone ripped through India and Bangladesh leaving hundreds dead and millions marooned.

Cyclone Aila on Monday hit the Indian state of West Bengal and the coast of Bangladesh leaving 200 dead and 2.6 million people stranded, officials said.

Thousands of thatched houses, more than 500 km embankments, cattle heads, fishery farms were washed away and hundreds of thousands of islanders marooned by 10-13 feet (3-4 meters) high surge, they added.

The toll in Bangladesh rose to more than 130 following the recovery of dozens of bodies on Tuesday. In West Bengal reports placed the toll at 64 besides 61,000 houses destroyed and 1.32 lakh partially damaged.

Church groups who joined NGOs and local volunteers in the rescue and relief operation said the heavy rains have left "thousands without sufficient food and shelter" triggering a full-scale response.

"Hundreds of rural houses have been destroyed or damaged; families have lost their essential household items; crops have been destroyed. The displaced population have taken shelter in school buildings and other safer locations," said Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, a global alliance of churches and related agencies.

The global ecumenical organisation said its partners Church Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) and Lutheran World Service India (LWSI) have begun mobilizing funds for the delivery of relief.

George Varghese, Program Manager of LWSI told Christian Today: "A rapid assessment team has already been dispatched to the affected areas where relief workers have started delivering food, fresh water and shelters."

"300 HDPE Plastic sheets was yesterday distributed for temporary shelter and also measures for hygienic and sanitation conditions have been initiated," George added.

"We intend to immediately reach out to 3000 other families affected in India," he shared.

The association has appealed for fresh funds to meet the most urgent needs including ready-to-eat food and dry food rations, temporary shelter and water purification tablets.

The cyclone with a speed of 70-90 km per hour is said to have brought the biggest natural calamity in Bangladesh since two years. In November 2007, thousands were dead or missing after cyclone Sidr battered the country's coastal areas.