NOW…..thirty-six year later, an American warship sits off the coast with over 3000 Navy and Marine troops ready to deliver food, water and medicine to the most remote corners of Bangladesh in a desperate effort to bring a measure of relief to the six million Bangladeshis that have been affected by Cyclone Sidr including the families of the 3200 bodies already discovered.

While the official death toll remains low, Save the Children said that it feared that 15,000 people could have died while the Red Crescent estimated around 10,000. Tragic whatever the number ends up being.

Thirty-six years separates these two tragedies and the humanitarian efforts that followed. One was supported by a generation, my generation who collectively tried to make the world a better place.

In the film made titled, “The Concert for Bangladesh” included footage of George Harrison being asked by a reporter: “With all the enormous problems in the world, how did you happen to choose this one to do something about?”

“Because I was asked by a friend if I would help, you know, that’s all,” was Harrison’s reply.

Times were different then but people are still people, and people still suffer and it will still be up to people to ease their pain and suffering