Tornado in Kuakata

By Mohd. Shah Alam (President), Dr. Rashidul H. Khan (Senior Advisor) Greater Barisal Division Assoc
23 September 2005, 18:00 PM
We the expatriates living in New York, USA are extremely depressed and worried about the news of devastation by the tornado in Kuakata. We understand that hundreds of fishing trawlers have been vanished in the sea because of the tornado. Nearly one thousand fishermen may have lost their lives. We convey our deep sympathy to their families. We are equally shocked like them when we got the news. We hope the local administration and concerned govt. officials have already visited the area or going to visit immediately. We request the concerned Ministers and their staff, as well as political leaders taking initiative to provide shelter for those who have lost their homes and establishments. Immediate initiative must be taken by the govt. to rescue the fishermen who have not yet returned to their homes.

We on behalf of all the brothers and sisters of Barisal division living in USA want to appeal to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh to take following steps immediately to help the victims of this terrible disaster. We have been observing for last two weeks the devastation made by the Tornado in the states of southern bay of USA.

1. Permanent rescue team for the coastal area i.e. for the communities living along the Bay of Bengal

2. Communication system in the coastal area to contact the govt. authorities in Dhaka as well as with the local govt offices

3. Immediate reconstruction of the barrage in the spots where it has been washed away

4. Placing water pump in the rice fields to save the crop otherwise people in these areas will suffer from famine

5. Provide shelter to those who have lost their homes and belongings

6. Start immediate relief work to provide food for those who have nothing to eat

In addition to the Govt. initiative we urge the NGOs and local associations to organise volunteers and send them to the devastated areas with food and clothes.