As floods sweeping southeastern Bangladesh impact nearly 3 million people, survivors are to receive cash and hygiene kits through Islamic Relief’s initial response.
Triggered by extremely heavy monsoon rains, severe flooding has left many families are stranded – and the water continues to rise.
Islamic Relief and local partners are launching an emergency response to provide urgent aid to survivors and displaced families. Heavy rains are expected to continue over the next couple of days and the needs are likely to increase. Five major rivers are currently above danger levels, with the Muhuri River in Feni district now at its highest recorded level in 40 years.
Hunger threatens as crops and livelihoods washed away
“Eight districts in the southeast are affected so far but the floods are spreading by the hour and the water level is still rising, with whole areas submerged and many homes destroyed,” says Mohamed Shamsuzzaman, Programme Manager for Islamic Relief in Bangladesh.
“Thousands of people are homeless and sheltering under the open sky. Reaching survivors is extremely challenging as the floods have submerged major roads, damaged bridges, and disrupted communications networks.
The needs are enormous right now, but crops and fish farms have also been damaged and washed away, which will have a longer-term impact on people’s livelihoods and access to food as well. We are hoping to provide emergency aid as soon as possible, and long-term support to affected families.Mohamed Shamsuzzaman, Programme Manager for Islamic Relief in Bangladesh.
“Most of these affected areas are not usually prone to disasters, so haven’t experienced this level of flooding before. It means that many communities are unprepared and don’t know how to respond.”
Islamic Relief, which has been delivering humanitarian aid and development interventions in Bangladesh since 1991, is now responding to this latest disaster to strike the country. We are preparing to distribute initial aid such as cash and hygiene kits to around 6,700 people in the coming days. The cash will help displaced families buy essential items such as food, water and shelter, while the hygiene kits help prevent diseases that can quickly spread after floods.
Islamic Relief’s initial response will help people in Feni and Comilla districts. Other affected districts include Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Chittagong, Noakhali and Khagrachhari.
With your support, Islamic Relief can continue to serve as a lifeline in Bangladesh and beyond. Please donate to our Bangladesh floods Appeal.