Cyclone Sidr, the deadliest to hit the region in 20 years, swept across Southern Bangladesh coastal regions on Thursday, November 15.  The result was devastating.

• 773,000 (estimated) houses were damaged
• 250,000 cattle and poultry were destroyed
• valuable crops, almost ready to harvest, were wiped out
• 3,000 was the final estimated death toll

Harisprasad Pal, a local official, reported, "I have never seen such a catastrophe in my 20 years as a government administrator."

MAF was the first civilian aircraft, dubbed the "Sea Angel" by locals, to reach cyclone victims in Southern Bangladesh.

MAF filled a crucial role in the relief effort, fielding 200 phone calls in one day from groups wanting to help. 

Pilots Chad Tilley and Rune Karlsson flew over the town of Patharghata or "Ground Zero" where the cyclone struck.  The region became known as the valley of death.  Landing the aircraft, the pilots spoke to local fishermen who reported that at least 2,000 people had died in Patharghata alone.  Thousands more were becoming ill from lack of fresh drinking water, and the fishermen approached the aircraft, desperate for a bottle of water.

"I landed in Barisal and spoke to a major in the Bangladesh Army who was helping co-ordinate the government's response," recalled Chad. "I introduced myself as the pilot of the MAF sea plane. He corrected me, saying, "No, Captain Chad, the people of this country are calling the aircraft the Sea Angel."

Cyclone Sidr has resulted in MAF transporting more Christian organisations into the South of the country than ever before.

 "Flights have taken Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and those from the Assemblies of God to coastal areas (hit by the cyclone), normally difficult for Christians to work in," reports pilot Chad Tilley. "In December, flights enabled assement and immediate relief work. Since then, they have been helping those involved in reconstruction."

 Chad flew USAID regional director Mark Ward and other staff to Khuolia where USAID is funding work being carried out by World Vision, Save the Children, International Red Cross, Concern International, and Care.

 The projects include water purification, community healthcare, home reconstruction, and feeding, as millions of tons of rice have been destroyed.

About 80 per cent of all sickness is caused by unsafe drinking water and a lack of basic sanitation, according to Concern International.