In response to the flood disaster in Bangladesh last year, the BBPA held its own fund raising lunch in November 1998 at the Bengal Clipper Restaurant. A total of £1,500 was raised at the event and handed to Action Aid as part of their Bangladesh Flood Relief Fund.

Although fund raising was the main purpose of the event, it was also an exercise in informing and finding out about this disaster. Aquila Kaseem from Action Aid provided a personal and vivid account of the relief effort from her visits in September. We also had the support of Baroness Pola Uddin of Bethnal Green, who spoke of the need to build on these types of events by looking to take a more active part in mainstream political activities.

A huge fund raising effort took place throughout the community in the UK, and although difficult to estimate the figure has been put as high as £10m. The realisation that the effects of global warming are not a nebulous process, but something nearer to all of us and likely to effect our families within our own lifetimes has focused all of our minds.

Perhaps more significantly for us, here was an example of the second generation organising itself to use its own resources to help. The message, loud and clear, was that the spirit of solidarity during times of difficulty remains and has not been diluted by distance or effected by aid fatigue.

Transparency has always been an issue with these types of fund raising efforts and an important concern often raised is what actually happens to the money? In future editions of the newsletter updates on how money under this particular fund is disbursed will be provided.

However, we can report that for the first few weeks after the floodwater receded Action Aid reached 25,000 families in 4 districts. Assistance included curative and preventative health services, water supply and sanitation (through temporary tube wells, latrine installation and provision of water purification tablets) cash grants and emergency food supplies mostly for children. In the second phase of their relief effort, cash grants for housing, seed distribution, tube-wells repair and installation, treatment and distribution of livestock and distribution of education materials among young children was provided. Finally, as part of long term rehabilitation Action Aid has provided cash for work, seed/fertiliser distribution, interest free credit and education centre/school repair. This has reached 11,300 families.

For now the important thing is that, the country returned back to normal remarkably quickly. Witness the depressing return of general strikes and walkouts from parliament.

Thanks for the support from all those that attended and do not forget that the fund raising never stops.