Where is Bangladesh?

I recently searched for a map of Bangladesh. I knew it was near India. I found out it is virtually surrounded by India.

A cyclone ripped through Bangladesh last week and killed at least 3,100 people that we know of. Hurricane Katrina killed at least 1,800 people that we know of. The cyclone in Bangladesh made front page news for a day or two. Hurricane Katrina made front page news for months. Sure, one can argue that Hurrican Katrina happened in the U.S. - not on the other side of the world. Thus, Katrina deserved front page news in the U.S. media for months.

However, how often does a ferry capsize in New Orleans and several hundred people lose their lives? Fortunately, not too often. If it happened once, it would be huge news for weeks. Ferries capsize in Bangladesh on a regular basis. Hundreds of people lose their lives. Sometimes, I find a paragraph about such incidents near the back of the second section of our state's main newspaper.

Why should we care about the people of Bangladesh? They live on the other side of the world. There are millions and millions of people living in Bangladesh. What is the big deal about a few hundred or even a few thousand perishing? The people of Bangladesh are poor. Dying young will save them from a life a struggles.

We should care because they are our brother and sisters in humanity. We should care because Jesus provided us with His example and command to care for them.