Devastation in Bangladesh - death toll 3100 and officials fear 10,000

Pope Benedict XVI prayed for all who suffer in Bangladesh in the aftermath of the devastation caused by the cyclone and called all the faithful to prayer and relief in the name of Christ during his Sunday Angelus address.

BARGUNA, BANGLADESH (Catholic Online) - A devastating category 4 cyclone named Sidr enveloped the Nation of Bangladesh this past week, causing the death of over 3,000 people and untold suffering.

Sadly, many more people may yet lose their lives before the effects of this cyclone subside. Rescuers are only now reaching the more isolated portions of the region and feverishly attempting to rescue those trapped in its violent aftermath.

This is the worst storm to hit the region in over a decade.

The outpouring of support from the international community was immediate and sustained. Aid organizations worked closely with army troops and rescue workers to clear the devastation wrought by the storm. Those who have been affected are desperately in need of food and relief supplies. The global community is working to respond to the need with an outpouring of solidarity.

Officials of the Red Crescent Society expressed concern that the death toll could reach between 5,000 and 10,000 people. The devastation to property has reached untold proportions and the deadly storm has left so many without home and shelter that the need cannot yet even be properly assessed.. Thousands of people are missing and close to 300,000 people have been left without anywhere to sleep and escape the horrid impact of this storm.

The president of Bangladesh worked to assist as many who were affected by the storm as possible. However, the devastation prompted angry and frightened crowds to gather in the Streets. The security situation worsened as the storm, with sustained winds of 150 mph, continued to devastate this beautiful Nation.

Catholics around the world gathered at Sunday Mass to hear the passage from the 21st chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke wherein the Lord warned of such events. In light of this horrible storm and the earthquakes in Chile, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI used his Sunday Angelus address to speak to the Catholic faithful. He called them to pray for those suffering, work for their assistance and relief, and further cautioned that they avoid a misguided view of such natural disasters.

Pope Benedict offered his prayer, solicitude and solidarity to all who suffer and reminded them to turn to God who is their hope and provision.

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