August 3, 2004 Dhaka, Bangladesh …. [Siegfried G. Mayr/ANN]
As two-thirds of this river-delta nation remain under flood waters, more than 20 percent of its 138 million inhabitants are affected.
Monsoon rains came to the country earlier this year than previously, and two more months of heavy rains — and, potentially, devastating floods — loom ahead. Bangladesh Adventist Seminary and College, with an enrollment of 750 students, has been affected by the present flooding, which compromised drinking water supplies.
Other church regions in the country report similar difficulties. Local leaders report they are in need of rice, dhal (lentils), water, saline, water-purifying tablets, blankets and other items. A good number of church members have taken refuge in the second floor of some of the two-story-school/chapel buildings, waiting for the water level to recede so they can go back to their respective homes and lands, if they remain. Among Adventist members, none have been reported dead, missing or drowned so far.
The huge Padma river, which is the same as the Ganges in India, as well as the Dhaleswari, the Munshiganj, and others rivers, are still flowing above danger level.
Nearly 17,000 Seventh-day Adventists worship weekly in 90 churches in Bangladesh, where the church has been active since 1919.
Copyright © 2004 by Adventist News Network.
