MCC responds to Bangladesh cyclone with $500,000

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has begun a $500,000 project to rebuild 1,250 houses in rural Bangladesh where thousands of people lost their homes to the winds and floodwaters of Cyclone Sidr.

Abdul Halim and his five-month-old son escaped their house in the Bangladeshi village of Ghopkalli as it was destroyed by floodwaters from Cyclone Sidr. Photo by Neeti Bhargava/Christian Aid-Act International

With wind speeds comparable to those of Hurricane Katrina, Sidr destroyed more than half a million houses Nov. 15 and left a death toll in the thousands, according to the Bangladeshi government.

Seven MCC workers will relocate to the coastal district of Bagerhat to organize the construction project. MCC is currently helping to provide food to 10,000 households in Bangladesh through partner organization Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Of all organizations participating in relief projects, MCC will be one of the first to rebuild homes.

Each house will cost approximately $320 and MCC is appealing for funds now to build the houses by April.

—Tim Shenk for MCC