Christian Aid's partner-organisations
have been helping the homeless and bereaved with emergency food and reconstruction
materials in the aftermath of the cyclone which hit the Indian state of
Orissa. Christian Aid's appeal raised £1.3 million, boosted by a further
£410,000 from the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.
The cyclone was the worst on record,
with wind speeds of 223 miles per hour. Across the coastal plain, ten million
people were made homeless and at least 10,000 people killed.
The Churches Auxiliary for Social Action, Awareness, Gram Vikas and the Voluntary Health Association of India have all been working in villages, providing everything from cooking utensils, kerosene lamps and medicines to blankets and clothing.
A £1 million grant from the UK government is being used by Christian Aid to provide seeds for winter crops, boats and nets for fisher-families and to re-plant forests.