A group of villagers at Dhansagar. Coconut tree saplings have been planted along a flood barrier which will, when mature, act as a wind barrier and also provide food and a source of clean water. Coconut trees grow in saline water, making them ideal for areas prone to tidal surges

AN AID worker has travelled to Bangladesh to see at first hand the difference that a Catholic aid agency has made to the lives of those affected by climate change and disasters.

Martin Brown (33), who is responsible for the Catholic charity throughout Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and parts of Berkshire, Dorset and Oxfordshire, visited central and south-west Bangladesh for two weeks earlier this year.

He met people affected by Cyclone SIDR in November 2007 to hear how the £29,000 raised by the Portsmouth Diocese for Cafod’s emergency appeal, including some cash from Jersey, had helped them rebuild their lives.

Up to £44,000 has been raised by the Catholic churches in Jersey over the past three years for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and £3,000 has been given by schools.

Mr Brown said that the trip was fantastic and a great experience to see how people had rebuilt their lives – including a couple who had vegetable gardens and fruit trees – and how the money had helped them cultivate their land.

‘Millions of people lost their homes and livestock and their land was devastated by Cyclone SIDR,’ he said.

‘Although we cannot say that any one disastrous weather event is caused by climate change, we are seeing much more of extreme weather and the cyclones are getting stronger and more dangerous.

‘At the time of Cyclone SIDR, Cafod’s partners distributed emergency food parcels and placed people in cyclone shelters built after one hit in 1991.

‘Cafod is now supporting those people to work their land again and reduce the risks if another cyclone was to happen and we met people who received houses which are able to withstand storms with winds up to 150 mph.’