Keith and I accompany Ali to Royenda, a village in the disaster area. This is our first experience of the effects of Cyclone Sidr. The destruction is considerable and widespread. Houses and shelters destroyed, drinking water supplies contaminated, vegetation and crops flattened, fishing boats smashed. However, the sea levels have returned to normal. I could only imagine what it would be like to be faced with a 15ft wall of water sweeping away everything in its path. Cyclone shelters had been erected following previous incidents, but these could not cope with the numbers affected. However, the people we met appeared to be in good spirits and had begun the arduous task of rebuilding their homes and lives. Being predominantly Muslim, I could only think they were accepting of what Allah had decided would be their fate. Or perhaps they had just seen it all before. If only I was able to speak directly to the people and perhaps get a better understanding of their plight.
We meet briefly with the army who have set up bases throughout the disaster area and promised to offer us every assistance in distributing our boxes.
After a traumatic day, Keith and I return to Khulna – a bone shaking journey taking about 4 hours. Thankfully Ali’s hospitality is outstanding.