Caritas Internationalis

Yesterday (17-04-09) at 19:30 hours (local time) cyclone Bijli started crossing Cox’s Bazar – Chittagong coast of Bangladesh and completed by 24:00 hours. In its pathway it became weakened gradually. Cox’sBazar – Chittagong coastal areas experienced wind speed of 100 kph with heavy rain. The storm triggered high waves (tidal surge) from the Bay of Bengal, which reached up to three meters above the normal tide. Heavy rain and gusts swept Cox’s Bazar town. The storm also swept over several offshore islands.

Thousands of thatched houses and hectares of Boro (local variety of paddy) cropland were damaged. A lot of trees were uprooted in the coastal Upazilas and Islands of Kutubdia, Moheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Pekua and Chakaria. In Pekua Upazila of Cox’s Bazar district, a boy (9) was killed and his sister (12) injured when a tree fell on them.

The cyclonic storm Bijli was less strong than the Sidr that hit 15 November 2007. Our Regional Offices are now conducting rapid assessment on the situation. Based on the findings of the rapid assessments Caritas will decide for the circulation of Emergency Appeal.

A man walks on debris as he looks for his relatives after an earthquake, in downtown Aquila April 6, 2009. A powerful earthquake struck a huge swathe of central Italy as residents slept on Monday morning, killing at least 16 people when houses, churches and other buildings collapsed, officials said. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

By Don Andrea La Regina – Caritas Italiana Driving up to L’Aquila, we saw towns that had been flattened. This earthquake has brought people to their knees. There was another strong tremor this morning and people are filled with anxiety as they don’t know what’s going to happen or who to turn to.

I’m up here with Fr Vittorio Nozza, Secretary General of Caritas Italiana, and some other colleagues. We’ve been talking to the bishop of the area and representatives of the local Caritas about what our plan of action will be.
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