Staff Reporter :
A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Bangladesh as monsoon floods have affected large areas in the northeastern part of the country, devastating thousands of houses and acres of crop lands.
More than 4.18 lakh people have been affected in five districts due to the flash floods, according to a report published by the Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) in Bangladesh.
The worst affected are those living in the low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, bordering Meghalaya state of India.
The flood situation has resulted in an acute crisis of clean water, sanitation, food, shelter and healthcare among the affected people, while also damaging the livelihoods of many.
Several areas have been left without power for days over the past weeks, and road and communications have been disrupted due to floodwater in many areas.
Though floodwater started to recede in many areas, new challenges have emerged with the risk of a waterborne disease outbreak among the flood victims in the aftermath of the floods.
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Secretary General Kazi Shofiqul Azam said, “Severe flash flooding is battering the lives of millions in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts of Bangladesh and people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.”
“Our teams are on the ground reaching affected people with emergency dry food, clean water, hygiene kits and other necessary relief items,” he added.
Bangladesh Red Crescent teams are carrying out rapid assessment alongside relief operation.
The IFRC has released 404,434 Swiss francs to support Bangladesh Red Crescent’s critical relief efforts from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund. The money will be spent to help affected people meet their most urgent needs and restore their ruined livelihoods.
IFRC Head of Bangladesh Country Delegation Sanjeev Kafley said, “This is only the beginning of monsoon season in Bangladesh and
severe floods are already putting millions of people at risk. Our experience says that more floods are likely in the coming weeks and months.”
“We are doing everything we can help those who are affected and are left without food and clean water. It is crucial to control disease outbreak as water starts to recede,” he said.
According to IFRC Head of Bangladesh, “With the funds just released, we aim to scale up our operation and reach the most affected people in the quickest time possible.”
