ISLAMIC RELIEF RAISES MONEY FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE
By Emdad Rahman (23 November 2007)

Islamic Relief united with London's East End community to raise substantial sums of money for victims of Hurricane Sidr which hit the coast of Bangladesh at a speed of 150 miles per hour. The destruction has affected seven million people, with the death count to date totalling over 17,000. 60% of Bangladesh is already submerged under water, with many inhabitants living barely 50 feet above sea level. The cyclone, described as the worst in years, hit the the disaster prone country, crashing into the South West coast before sweeping over the capital Dhaka.

Islamic Relief’s Media Executive Sabia Kamali said; Hurricane Sidr has caused widespread suffering to people who are already amongst the poorest on earth. The team at Islamic Relief are calling and relying on the support of our communities to try to alleviate the suffering of the people affected by this humanitarian catastrophe.”

Deputy Manager, Abdul Aziz Rajab Ali said, “Yesterday we sent out a mission team to Bangladesh, which included Habib Malik, our head of community funding, a photographer and a disaster specialist." Emergency aid from all over the world is now being sent to Bangladesh, with many teams being dispatched to offer support to the people that have been affected. The current situation remains severe.

Muhammad Ali, a native of the District of Sylhet (Bangladesh) is volunteering as an aid operative. Speaking by telephone Muhammad said; “ We are beyond shedding tears. The children are the worse affected. Although it is taking time for supplies to reach destinations because of transport and communication difficulties, I am pleased that so much aid is being offered to the people of Bangladesh – yet more is needed and I beg people to dig deep into their pockets.”

Tapan Chowdhury , Bangladesh’s Food and Disaster Ministry advisor has said that countries and international agencies have promised to collaborate with 140 million dollars for the victims and recuperation.