Church agency reaches help to cyclone survivors

(April 24, 2010) A Church aid agency has started distributing shelter materials and hygiene kits to hundreds of families in Bihar and West Bengal states in eastern India, where a high intensity storm last week killed at least 120 people and left thousands homeless. Teams of Catholic Relief Services are distributing over 4,000 prepositioned shelter kits to survivors. The kits include tarps, plastic mats, rope, matchboxes and candles. Because poor sanitation after natural disasters can lead to disease, CRS is also giving out 1,500 hygiene kits that include laundry detergent, bathing soap, disinfectant, sanitary cloths, and bucket. The kits will help 9,400 people in West Bengal and 18,000 people in Bihar rebuild their lives, CRS said. The severe storm struck parts of West Bengal and Bihar states on April 13 flattened houses mostly made of thatch and bamboo. Tens of thousands lost their homes, crops, and livestock when the cyclone ripped through the area.