From Burslem to Bangladesh

Last week I attended an urgent meeting called by members of the Bangladeshi community in conjunction with the Racial Equality Council to ensure that North Staffordshire is playing its part in relief efforts following the devastating impact of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh earlier this month.

According to the BBC, over 6 million people have now been affected, and 2,997 people have been confirmed dead. Many more have been injured, and the death toll could reach an estimated 10,000.  Thousands of houses, crops and large tracts of agricultural land have also been destroyed along with access to safe water.

The consequences of this cyclone are severe and far reaching, affecting families from Charaldia to Bagnall.  Climate Change affects us all and I believe that one critical step in rising to its challenge must be the raising of our community awareness to ask how we can adapt as a community to this challenge.  Money is needed on the ground to provide safe water and food aid and for emergency shelter.  I am supporting our local Bangladeshi restaurants that are encouraging people to make a one pound donation towards the relief effort now underway. 

The Department For International Development (DFID) has provided initial assistance of £2.5 million, which is being channelled through the UN for immediate relief efforts and pledged a further £2.5 million on 23 November. This additional £2.5 million will help to provide basic human needs of food, clean drinking water, medicines and basic shelter.  The UK's disaster relief aid in Bangladesh now totals almost £10 million (£4.7 million was provided earlier this year in response to severe floods in August).

The money is being channelled through the UN, and will help provide food, water, medical treatment, and housing repairs. The money will also help UN agencies and local NGOs provide water tablets, embankment repairs, foot and mouth vaccines, fertiliser and cash for work to help people regain their livelihoods. It will also help provide medical treatment for the injured, and those affected by flood and cyclone related diseases.

The Government has also contributed to the European Commission's pledge of €6.5 million (approximately £3.6 million) for emergency aid and committed 18% (around £650,000) of the total amount. In addition, DFID has sent two humanitarian response specialists to the affected area to assist with the relief efforts and make recommendations about further UK support.

Our ingenuity and compassion are our tools for engaging with climate change and we need to ask the question of how we can engage with this process in North Staffordshire.  The North Staffs Racial Equality Council has already established a Bangladeshi Cyclone Appeal.  Anyone wanting to contribute ideas, donate money or help should contact them on 01782 407930, at Raymond Street, Hanley.  If you live in Brown Edge, Endon and Stanley or in Bagnall and would like to know more about Climate Change, the situation in Bangladesh or have any ideas about what we can do in North Staffordshire then please be in touch.