Red Cross warns of major health threat as floods affect millions in Bangladesh
4 October 2000

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent together with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society have intensified relief operations across five districts in western Bangladesh where over 2.5 million people have been affected by severe flooding that began on September 22. Hundreds of Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers have been assisting in food distributions and the evacuation of marooned people in the worst-hit districts of Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jessore, Satkhira and Jhenidah.

The flooding in the western districts started in the early hours of the morning of 22 September, villagers in Meherpur district were awoken by the tide of flood water surging into their homes from West Bengal. In panic and darkness, thousands fled with their families in search of higher ground, leaving most of their belongings behind. The number of people affected by flooding has now risen to almost 4 million and in view of the rising humanitarian needs, the Federation has increased its international appeal launched in August when flooding and river erosion left more than 1.5 million people homeless.

"The true extent of this disaster is still unfolding," says Bob McKerrow, head of the Federation's delegation in Bangladesh. "We are still coming across people stranded in the tops of trees and on rooftops. The area is awash with putrid water and our biggest fear is that we'll soon see some major health problems arising. We have already sent four medical teams to western Bangladesh and have another ten teams on standby, but we have committed all our available resources and desperately need more funding to continue medical and relief operations."

Donor support for the appeal has been slow to materialize. Only 20% of the Federations 3.8 million Swiss franc appeal has so far been met. The Bangladesh Red Crescent, supported by the Federation, has so far distributed 375 tonnes of rice, 63 tonnes of lentils, 35 tonnes of Chira (flattened rice) and 7 tonnes of Gurh (molasses) to flood victims in the worst-affected districts. A second order of food; 400 tonnes of rice and 80 tonnes of lentils is currently being dispatched from the Bangladesh Red Crescent warehouse in Dhaka and donors have been approached to supply funding for urgently needed non food items including water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts, plastic sheeting, jerricans, clothing and corrugated iron sheeting for repairs to damaged houses.

"There has been no serious flooding in this area since 1945 so most people are having great difficulty coping under these circumstances," says Bob McKerrow. As there are not many rivers in the region there is a shortage of boats to rescue people. In addition the flood waters are expected to recede slowly as there are few natural channels allowing the water to drain from the area.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Dhaka: Bob McKerrow, Federation Head of Delegation:
+880 2 8315401-02 / +880 2 9337314/ + 880 17 521615
Delhi: Patrick Fuller, regional information delegate:
+ 91 11 6858671 / +91 11 9810099794
Geneva: Solveig Olafsdottir, information officer:
+41 22 730 4296/ +41 79 217 3372

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 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.