Kumar Periasamy, director of international disaster relief at OBI, is on the ground in the cyclone-devastated Barguna district of Bangladesh. After spending a few days in-country, he reports on what he saw.

Waves of water 20 feet high rushed into villages and destroyed homes, forcing residents, above, to set up temporary camps along the road.

BARGUNA, Bangladesh – After another long boat ride to Zayal Bangha, we were not sure what to expect.

Unlike the last village we visited, we noticed a lot more activity in this village. The streets were busy, the markets were open and life was going on as usual.

More than 30,000 people live in this village and most earn a living by fishing and farming. By the time we reached the clinic more than 100 people were waiting in line to consult our doctors. After we got things organized, the doctors started seeing patients.

I wanted to know how the cyclone affected their lives and joined those standing in the long line. People showed me scars from falling trees; they talked about lost family members, loss of businesses and of all savings. Each person told of their own catastrophe.

I met a young man, Hassan, and asked him why he wanted to see a doctor. He said he has terrible chest pain and also showed some of the wounds on his legs.

Then, in silence, he slowly placed his hand over his heart. I was not sure what he was trying to tell me.

Not knowing what to do, I put my hand on his shoulder to try and comfort him. Just as I was about to leave he tapped my shoulder and showed me a photo of his family - laying in the water, dead, where he found them.

They were floating in the water, washed to the banks.

Hassan lost his entire family when the cyclone swept through his village. He holds a photo of his family.

Just before the cyclone hit his village, Hassan's sister packed him a lunch and bid him farewell. Financially they were not well off, but that day Hassan promised to bring some special sweets for her sister. Being the only daughter at home, everyone loved her very much, especially Hassan. Just before he reached his work place he placed a special order of sweets for his sister.

While at work Hassan heard the cyclone warning; everyone panicked around him trying to run to the cyclone shelters. Hassan followed. He was hoping his family would also run to the closest cyclone shelter.

"The water was coming in 20 feet high," said Hassan, with tears in his eyes "I saw homes being washed away and people fighting for their lives. I was praying for my family to be safe.”

"As soon as the cyclone warning was over I rushed home," Hassan said. "My house was washed away. I looked for my family members but I could not find them. I ran to the cyclone shelter but could not find them there."

"After a long search I found them floating on the water," Hassan said.

Hassan's mother, sister and two nephews were killed.

"I was very angry and tried to commit suicide," Hassan said, "but my neighbors took control of me and slowly helped me gain strength during the difficult moments everyone was going through.”

Hassan took the pictures of his families' bodies to remind myself to pray.

"I buried my family where my house was once, and I have no clue how I am going to move on with life," Hassan said.

The emotional trauma he went through was physically hurting him with chest and heart pain. Our medical team gave him medicines, and I spent time to comfort Hassan.

About 300 patients were seen at the one-day medical mission. Almost everyone had a story to tell.

Humedica medical team in partnership with Operation Blessing continues to touch lives in the most difficult and worst affected areas. We are not just bringing medicines to them but also the message of hope and love.

"We have no medical doctor in this town, only a health worker, the closest medical care will be a long journey for us," said one of the village leaders. "You have come from so far to help us. You gave us good medicines, thank you so much, and may God bless your country.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can take part in helping families affected by recent disasters in Bangladesh as well as Mexico by making an on-line donation today. With your support, OBI and partners can continue to provide food, medical care and more to thousands of hurting people.

 

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