Crowley, Sabini Plead For Aid To Cyclone-Stricken Bangladesh
BY JOHN TOSCANO

Joining Senator Sabini were numerous Bangladeshi community leaders, including America-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce President Giash Ahmed, United Nations economist Dr. Nazrul Islam, Bangladeshi Civil Society President Matin Talukder and journalist Salem Suleri.

Western Queens lawmakers, community leaders and the Red Cross called on the United States government and New Yorkers to extend a helping hand to the people of Bangladesh in the aftermath of the killer cyclone that struck six days ago.

Between 2,000 and 10,000 people have been reported dead by various agencies and many, many more reported injured by winds generated as Cyclone Sidr roared through mostly rural areas of Southwest Bangladesh at 150 miles an hour.

Congressmember Joseph Crowley and State Senator John Sabini, who represent the Greater Jackson Heights area, with a large population of Bangladeshi immigrants, issued the call for humanitarian aid.

Crowley (D- Queens/The Bronx) urged the United States to increase its role in responding to the great loss of life and property.

"The damage and loss of life caused by the cyclone in Bangladesh demands greater action from the United States and the global community," Crowley said. "I call on the US Agency for International Development to go above and beyond to address this extraordinary, life-threatening crisis that has left millions without shelter and poses a major health risk to people throughout Bangladesh and the region.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Bangladesh who have endured unimaginable suffering from this devastating act by Mother Nature."

Sabini (D- Jackson Heights) declared: "Just a few months after being ravaged by monsoon floods, Bangladesh has suffered one of the worst cyclones in over a decade.

"With so many Bangladeshis living here in New York and their loved ones affected by this calamity, it is important that we think about our neighbors and lend a hand."

Sabini on Monday addressed a seminar conducted by the Bangladeshi Civil Society of New York that met to discuss the enormous aid effort required for the stricken country.

Sabini said the immediate needs for the storm-struck region were food, emergency shelter and basic health care, including clean water.

The lawmaker said the longer-term needs for the region are basic health care with psycho-social support, measures to restore safe water and sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion, housing and other building reconstruction, infrastructure reconstruction and livelihood provisions such as seeds and fishing nets.

Sabini asked New Yorkers to send money- not supplies that are difficult and expensive to ship- to the Red Cross or to the Bangladeshi Consulate in New York, which has set up a relief fund.

Joining Sabini at the meeting were numerous Bangladeshi community leaders, including America- Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce President Giash Ahmed, United Nations economist Dr. Nazrul Islam, Bangladeshi Civil Society President Matin Talukder and journalist Salem Suleri.

Another speaker, Christophe Lobry- Boulanger, services program manager American Red Cross International, described a breathtakingly quick and thorough response to the devastating cyclone that included 40,00 trained Cyclone Preparedness Program volunteers disseminating alerts before Sidr's landfall and 30,000 staff and volunteers around the world who have been mobilized to address the situation now.

Sabini said to give to the Red Cross International Response Fund, call 1-800- REDCROSS or visit www.redcross.org.

To give directly to the Bangladeshi government, donate to the "Chief Advisor's Relief and Welfare Fund through the Bangladesh Consulate in New York. For details, visit the Consulate Web site at www.bdcygny.org or call 212-599- 6767 ext. 15/10/21.