SAMHATI'S Cyclone Sidr relief effort for our projects for poor women and children in Bangladesh SAMHATI’S CYCLONE SIDR RELIEF EFFORTS On November 15, a terrible cyclone hit Bangladesh, devastating the southern coastal areas. Samhati’s main current project is in the village of Katakhali, in a remote island in the Bay of Bengal. The Katakhali Project provides training, education, and small loans to increase the income of poor women and their families. We also provide scholarships to poor high school children so that they can stay in school. The project includes a health clinic to provide medical services and preventive care to the community. The Katakhali village and our project have been very badly hit by the cyclone. Luckily, the villagers survived by taking shelter in the newly constructed Health Clinic/Staff Quarters, the only solid structure in the area. The ground floor of this building was just finished in March 2007 with funding from Samhati. While the Katakhali villagers survived the cyclone, they and those in the nearby villages face many challenges. All the cattle, goats, chicken, and ducks died and the entire rice crop has been destroyed. The rice was ripe and about to be harvested and now it is all gone. There is no food at all in Katakhali or the surrounding areas, and food will have to be sent from the city. Also, it is very cold and people are lacking clothing and blankets. The people in this area have flimsy homes made of mud, straw and tin, and almost all homes have destroyed or damaged. There will be mass starvation and death from cold and disease in Katakhali unless we can arrange for immediate help. We appeal to all of you to make a special urgent donation so that we can help this small community survive. Two of our board members reside in or near Bangladesh and are personally taking provisions to the coastal area. They hired a boat and went to Katakhali on November 24, traveling for 30 hours from the capital city of Dhaka. They took with them an initial boatload of supplies and gave them out to the neediest 600 families in Katakhali and the adjacent villages. The supplies included clothes, blankets, food and medicines. Samhati is trying to give at least basic relief to the most destitute people in the following villages: Katakhali, Modhukhali, Purakhali, Tungibaria, Felabunia, Dabbunia, Gangarchar, Halimchar, and Shamchan. These villages are all on the Barabaishdia island and adjacent tidal lands. This area would include about half the population of Barabaishdia. Samhati is directly handing out all the relief to ensure that the goods are going to those that need it. The government did send rice to the area after Samhati called government officials directly; however it appears that not much of it has actually reached the villagers. Samhati is assessing the needs of the villagers to formulate a plan for next steps, including what is needed to help the villagers rebuild their homes and livelihoods. We will be returning to Baraishdia multiple times to help the villagers recuperate from cyclone SIDR. Because our resources are limited, Samhati will likely be able to give home building assistance and longer-term help only to the villagers in Katakhali; however, our hope is to also assist the adjacent villagers as much as possible. To support our cyclone relief efforts, please fill out the form below and send in your tax- deductible contribution. You may also contribute by direct bank transfer or by credit card at http://paypal.com (send money to samhati1984@yahoo.com). We really appreciate your help. Your donation will make a concrete difference to poor families whose lives have been shattered by cyclone SIDR. If you have questions, do not hestitate to contact Jahanara Hasan at 703-931-9668 or Monica Bose at Click here.
	I would like to contribute so Samhati's cyclone relief and rebuilding effort. I enclose a check for $___ . Additional donations are very much appreciated. I enclose a check for: $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000___ other amount (please fill in)
I need a reciept. Please make your check payable to "Samhati" and mail with this form to: Samhati, 8602 Aqueduct rd. Potomac, MD 20854