Incessant rainfall in Meghalaya-Cherrapunji upstream and Bangladesh’s northeast region swelled up the main river systems beyond danger level, leading to the worst floods of the century in this region. Impacting an estimated 6.8 million people across seven districts, 80% of Sylhet and almost 100% of Sunamganj district are under water.
The Sylhet airport which was temporarily suspended for high levels of flood water will possibly resume flights from June 23, 2022, reported authorities. Electric connections are partially restored; however, transport and communication systems have endured massive damage. The government of Bangladesh has opened more than 1,600 temporary shelters, accommodating over 472,500 people and Bangladesh Army and Airforce are deployed for the search and rescue operation. The government has also suspended the national exams for 10th-grade passing. The State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Dr Enamur Rahman commented that the floods in Sylhet and Sunamganj are the worst in 122 years.
The Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief (MoDMR) has allocated rice and dry food for distribution, along with cash support of BDT 37.6 crore (~USD 417,777) for the flood response. START FUND2 allocated an additional GBP 442,546 to its local members to start the initial response to Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrokona districts. Further efforts are being initiated by the UN Resident Coordination Office working with the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) to estimate sector-wise impact and resources needed for response and recovery.
CARE has started emergency flood response and aims to reach approximately 6,000 individuals in Sylhet primarily with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), dignity kits, cash, and shelter support. Further efforts to collect additional funds are ongoing to support Sunamganj. The National Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG), of which CARE is co-chair, is coordinating to update the initial rapid assessment report to circulate with key donors soon. NAWG is also working with the Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) working group led by UN Women to conduct Rapid Gender Assessment (RGA).
Expressing his concern with the situation, Ram Das, Deputy Country Director – Program from CARE Bangladesh said, “With the current resources, we can reach only few thousands out of millions affected. As the water starts receding, the real scale of the damage can be assessed. We have an urgent need to raise funds to rehabilitate the affected families.”
For more information, contact Nusrat Daud Pritha; Acting Head, Communications and PR Unit, CARE Bangladesh: [email protected]