GENEVA, November 18, 2007--Responding to communities devastated by Cyclone Sidr, members of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International are beginning emergency support for more than 35,500 people in southern Bangladesh.

Initial reports indicate that at least 2,200 people have died as a result of the cyclone, with the number expected to rise in the worst storm to hit Bangladesh since 1991 when nearly 143,000 people died.

ACT members in Bangladesh, Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh (LHCB) and Social Health and Education Development Board (SHED) are assisting families through emergency food support including rice, pulses, salt and oil as well as oral rehydration salts.

The initial assistance, supported by the ACT Rapid Response Fund, will ensure two meals a day for at least five days, targeting particularly vulnerable groups of people including widows, children, the elderly, disabled and those without land in the districts of Bagerhat, Barisal, Gopalganj, Khulna and Madarapur.

ACT member, Christian Aid, is also planning assistance through its local implementing partners and has already allocated funds to cover the first two weeks of their response. Initial expectations for assistance include medical support and food followed by shelter and small cash grants.

Over the next seven days, ACT member, Church of Bangladesh (CoB), will be assessing early recovery and rehabilitation needs and is planning to move directly into interventions likely including housing and livelihood support.

Prior to the storm, CCDB reported that people on the island of Moheshkali were evacuated to cyclone shelters, including 44 shelters constructed by CCDB following the devastating 1991 cyclone.

Through its local partners, Christian Aid had also already been working in the cyclone-affected coastal areas through a community-based disaster preparedness project.

ACT members are coordinating their efforts with other humanitarian responders and local governments, and are likely to be submitting an appeal proposal to the ACT Coordinating Office in the coming days.

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Action by Churches Together (ACT) International is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.

For further information, please contact: Sidney Traynham, ACT Assistant Communications Officer (office: +41 22 791 6711 / mobile: +41 79 681 1868)