Emergency appeal to help 1 lakh flood-hit people

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) yesterday made an emergency worldwide appeal to help thousands of people hit by monsoon floods in Bangladesh, a press release said.
The IFRC has appealed for CHF 1.6 million (USD 1.7 million/EUR 1.5 million) to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent in reaching 105,000 people with emergency assistance.
In all, around 3.7 million people have been affected by the seasonal floods caused by heavy rains. Close to a quarter of a million homes have been damaged or destroyed. High water levels of rivers have also resulted in widespread erosion, forcing many to relocate. Government figures estimate that almost 17,000 houses have been completely washed away.
The floods have affected 19 districts across the country, with the northern districts of Jamalpur, Shirajganj, Tangail, Kurigram, and Gaibanda being the worst hit. These were the first to be struck by floods at the end of July.
“The floods have inflicted significant damage and hardship across the country. Homes have been completely destroyed. There is a shortage of clean water and lack of toilets. People’s lives have been left in tatters,” said Mozharul Huq, secretary general of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.
The people have become accustomed to dealing with floods, but this year’s monsoon has been particularly bad. Floodwaters have started receding in some areas of the northern districts and are moving south towards the Bay of Bengal.
“Receding floodwaters does not mean the end of the problem, but quite the opposite,” 
said Huq. 
“This is when people really need help to rebuild their homes and lives. They also need support to ensure that they are better prepared for such natural disasters,” they added. 
Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Bangladesh. The monsoon floods followed closely behind Cyclone Roanu, which struck the country in May, affecting around 1.3 million people.
“This emergency appeal will provide vital assistance to thousands of people affected by at Ulla, the IFRC head of delegation in Bangladesh. 

“My big concern is that the frequency of these natural disasters in Bangladesh has led to donor fatigue. We’re committed to providing effective humanitarian aid at the local level, but we can only do so with the necessary international financial support,” he added.
To date, Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers have distributed food among more than 27,000 people. The Red Crescent is using nine water treatment kits, each of which can treat water at a rate of 1,000 litres per hour to provide clean drinking water to 15,000 people in Bogra, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, and Kurigram.

Emergency appeal to help 1 lakh flood-hit people

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) yesterday made an emergency worldwide appeal to help thousands of people hit by monsoon floods in Bangladesh, a press release said. The IFRC has appealed for CHF 1.6 million (USD 1.7 million/EUR 1.5 million) to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent in reaching 105,000 people with emergency assistance. In all, around 3.7 million people have been affected by the seasonal floods caused by heavy rains. Close to a quarter of a million homes have been damaged or destroyed. High water levels of rivers have also resulted in widespread erosion, forcing many to relocate. Government figures estimate that almost 17,000 houses have been completely washed away. The floods have affected 19 districts across the country, with the northern districts of Jamalpur, Shirajganj, Tangail, Kurigram, and Gaibanda being the worst hit. These were the first to be struck by floods at the end of July. The floods have inflicted significant damage and hardship across the country. Homes have been completely destroyed. There is a shortage of clean water and lack of toilets. Peoples lives have been left in tatters, said Mozharul Huq, secretary general of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. The people have become accustomed to dealing with floods, but this years monsoon has been particularly bad. Floodwaters have started receding in some areas of the northern districts and are moving south towards the Bay of Bengal. Receding floodwaters does not mean theend of the problem, but quite the opposite, said Huq. This is when people really need help to rebuild their homes and lives. They also need support to ensure that they are better prepared for such natural disasters, they added. Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Bangladesh. The monsoon floods followed closely behind Cyclone Roanu, which struckthe country in May, affecting around 1.3million people. This emergency appeal will provide vital assistance to thousands of people affected byat Ulla, the IFRC head of delegation in Bangladesh. My big concern is that the frequency of these natural disasters in Bangladesh has led to donor fatigue. Were committed to providing effective humanitarian aid at the local level, but we can only do so with the necessary international financial support, he added. To date, Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers have distributed food among more than 27,000 people. The Red Crescent is using nine water treatment kits, each of which can treat water at a rate of 1,000 litres per hour to provide clean drinking water to 15,000 people in Bogra, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, and Kurigram.