Press Release Wales - 26 November 2007
WELSH POLITICIANS UNITE TO BACK BANGLADESH CYCLONE APPEAL
WALES’S POLITICAL LEADERS are backing an appeal to help the victims of cyclone Sidr, which has killed 3,000 people in Bangladesh.
The DEC Cymru Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal is asking the people of Wales to give money to provide aid for people suffering after one of the most ferocious cyclones to hit Bangladesh in decades.
Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan says:
"I represent many Bangladeshi Welsh constituents. The bond between Wales and Bangladesh has always been a strong one. We have worked together to meet the challenges of the past and we shall do so again in the future.
"I know first hand from my Bangladeshi friends the devastation wrought by the cyclone and the massive scale of the challenge now facing that country in rebuilding. I can think of no better gift anyone could give during the festive season than making a donation to the rebuilding work in Bangladesh."
Alun Ffred Jones AM, Plaid Cymru Deputy group leader, Welsh Assembly says:
"I am happy to lend my support to the worthwhile effort by DEC Cymru to ease some of the suffering caused by the cyclone in Bangladesh. The extent of the devastation is beyond comprehension, and urge the people of Wales to contribute generously to the Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal"
Welsh Conservative Assembly leader Nick Bourne AM says:
“The recent cyclone has had a devastating impact on Bangladesh, a country which has suffered greatly from natural disasters in the past. The people of Bangladesh deserve our sympathy and support as they strive to rebuild their lives. I am confident the people of Wales will exhibit their usual generosity to help with the relief effort. It is vital they do and I call on people across Wales to dig deep into their pockets to support aid agencies rebuild the areas devastated by the cyclone.”
Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:
"The scale of the devastation in Bangladesh, as we've seen on our televisions, almost defies belief. At a time when all of us here in Wales are looking forward to a Christmas period where we will enjoy good food, warmth and the company of loved ones, I hope we will all be able to spare a thought - and some money - for those who have very little to look forward to this year."
Trish Law AM says:
"No-one can help be moved by the sheer scale of destruction left by the Bangladesh cyclone. More than five million people - getting on for twice the population of Wales - have been affected after the most ferocious cyclones to hit Bangladesh in many years. While the mammoth relief effort has largely faded from our newspapers and television screens, we must not forget that it is the poor and dispossessed who have been hit hardest by this storm and that it will be a very long time before their lives return to anything resembling normality. By nature, Wales is a generous nation and I would urge its people to make a donation to DEC Cymru so that its 13 major aid agencies can get on with the huge task of helping millions of people left without food and shelter."
ENDS
CONTACT
For DEC Cymru press information please call Iwan Rhys Roberts on 07739 894 923.
UK-wide, one million pounds was raised in the five hours following the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for the survivors of the Bangladesh cyclone last week (Thursday 22 November).
More than five million people have been affected by the cyclone. Families have been left without enough food, water, or shelter, while an estimated million homes have been destroyed or damaged and around a million acres of cropland devastated.
Public donations will be used for immediate needs such as food, clean water, medicines and shelter. But the scale of the devastation is so immense that a huge relief and reconstruction effort will be needed over the coming months.
DEC Cymru is Christian Aid, Cafod, Save the Children, Tearfund, Red Cross, Oxfam Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales.
Iwan Rhys Roberts
Swyddog y Wasg a Chyfathrebu/
Press & Communications Officer
Help the Aged yng Nghymru/Help the Aged in Wales
029 2034 6552, 07739 894 923
