Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dacca (Agenzia Fides) - The announcement of the re-opening of the railway between India and Bangladesh, scheduled to take place next April, has renewed hopes for progress, business, and cultural and economic exchange. The line was suspended in 1975, following the coups d’etat in Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh’s Communications Minister, Mahbubur Rahman, “the final obstacle in the re-opening of passenger transport service between Dacca and Calcutta has been removed,” now that Bangladesh has agreed to build several infrastructures along the route, in order to guarantee passenger safety and reduce the transport irregular immigrants. The agreement has been reached in spite of the fact that Bangladesh has been ruled for over a year by an ad interim government formed by members of the military, following the declaration of a state of emergency in 2007.
Despite the new hopes to improve commerce and tourism, a large number of Bangladesh’s population continues living in poverty, as a result of Cyclone Sidr that on November 15 struck the coasts of the Asian country, causing over 3, 300 deaths and 2 million persons affected (see Fides 21 and 23/11/2007).
In order to maintain the thousands of families still living in a state of poverty, there has been a constant and effective effort made on the part of Caritas Bangladesh, with the help of Caritas from other countries, NGOs, and other benefactors. In the Diocese of Khulna, in southern Bangladesh and one of the most affected areas, plans continue for building houses, schools, and infrastructures, as well as for recovering crops, which are the main source of their livelihood.
Caritas Bangladesh has begun distribution of emergency aid materials, especially food supply, to over 40, 000 families and has increased distribution in 35 medical dispensaries throughout the country. Now, over three months after the disaster, they are making requests for living quarters at a low cost and work instruments. These are the basic needs of the people of Bangladesh at this moment. Caritas has made the commitment to finding 10 rooms and to contributing to the “professional rehabilitation,” providing the people with work instruments...from fishing boats to artisan’s tools, many of which were destroyed by the cyclone.
With all the work that has been done in these past few months, it is necessary to mention the effort of both Caritas and of the Catholic missionaries who live in the country and who work closely with the Bishops and the local Church. An authentic solidarity, in a country with a Muslim majority, is what has contributed to the improvement in the relation and collaboration between Christians and Muslims. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/3/2008; righe 34, parole 429)
