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Bangladesh
flood victims remain in urgent need of assistance 17 August 2007 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is significantly scaling up its response to the recent floods in Bangladesh, which left more than half the country under water. Although water levels are receding in some areas, the needs of flood-affected residents have by no means diminished. At least 225,000 displaced people are still living in temporary shelters and are unable to return home. In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the International Federation is significantly increasing its call for emergency funds for Bangladesh and is now seeking 7.1 million Swiss francs ($5.9 million USD / €4.3 million) to support around 1.2 million people over a period of eight months. The International Federation’s preliminary appeal for Bangladesh was launched on 3 July and called for 842,000 Swiss francs to assist people affected by more limited flooding in June. A week later, the situation took a severe turn for the worse, as heavy rainfall caused four major rivers to overflow and further submerged areas in the north, north-east and central parts of the country. An estimated 10 million people – mostly poor farmers – have been affected in total. “The number of damaged or collapsed houses went from 5,600 to over 917,000 in the space of just two months,” says Selva Sinnadurai, Head of the International Federation’s delegation in Dhaka “Damage to crops has also been extensive, and this could have a severe impact on local food supplies and people’s livelihoods. What’s more, many houses built of bamboo, hay or mud have been damaged or washed away.” A Red Cross Red Crescent assessment team observed that strong water flows have reshaped the landscape in some areas, leaving villages like Putiabari, in Sirajgani district, transformed by riverbank erosion and the loss of 600 homes. Weather forecasts predict that there may be additional heavy rains before the monsoon season ends in September. In response to the deteriorating situation, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has mobilized thousands of volunteers to distribute food, first aid and relief items in flood-hit communities. To help control the spread of water-borne diseases, Red Crescent volunteers have also handed out 1.3 million water purification tablets. In addition to much-needed basic relief supplies, the additional appeal funds will support risk reduction efforts in flood-prone areas and early recovery activities, including shelter materials for 15,000 families, technical advice on safer building techniques, vegetable seeds, and the restoration of water and latrine systems. The revised appeal will also be used to deploy 15 mobile health teams in the affected area. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Anna Nelson, Communications Officer for Asia in Geneva Tel: +41 22 730 4381/+41 79 724 2046 Devendra Tak, Senior Regional Communications Officer for South Asia Tel: +91 981 039 3178 Media Service Duty Phone (Geneva) Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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