World Vision responds to floods across South Asia in Bangladesh, India and Nepal

22 August 2017 - International humanitarian agency World Vision is responding to the South Asian flooding crisis that has affected millions across Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, providing much needed humanitarian relief to children and families displaced by the flooding.

"As a child focused organisation, we are deeply concerned about the well-being of children, especially the most vulnerable, throughout the three countries in South Asia affected by these floods”, said Jan De Waal, World Vision’s Regional Leader for South Asia and the Pacific. De Waal continued, “Through our multi-country flood response we are working to ensure access to food, water, shelter, and sanitation, for the displaced population, many of whom have lost their homes, food, and livelihoods. World Vision emergency response teams in partnership with local governments, in-country humanitarian agencies, and communities themselves, are working to address the immediate life-saving needs of the flood affected children and their families.”

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, more than 3 million people are affected by the recent flooding in the northern and eastern districts of Bangladesh out of which 600,000 are children. Flood levels reached record highs. Hectares of cultivated land have been damaged and drinking water sources are partially or fully damaged leaving people without easy to access to potable water.

In the first phase of the Bangladesh Flood Relief Response, World Vision Bangladesh aims to reach 17, 195people by providing food, WASH items, house repairing for affected families and education support for children through multipurpose cash programming.

Nepal

Heavy rainfall has led to flooding in the districts of Nepal bordering India, with Kailali, Morang, Saptari, Siraha and Sunsari the worst impacted. Thousands of families have lost their homes and are now displaced.   

4,785 people have been reached through relief distribution in Sunsari, Morang and Kailali district in coordination with DDRC (District Disaster Relief Committee) and local line agencies.

World Vision International Nepal continues to participate in various cluster level meeting and assessing the situation in coordination with local government and district offices regarding additional needs and emergency support in other districts.

India

Since late June-early July, many states in India have been facing incessant monsoon rains in periodical spells, causing floods and landslides during different times in different states and districts. The present wave of monsoon has significantly increased the number of states and districts reeling under heavy floods in the country. The states of Assam, Bihar, West Bengal and the North East are some of the severely affected with damage to agricultural crops and household essentials including food stocks and damage to homes.

Providing 14237 people in Saharsha and Madhepura districts, North Bihar, one of the worst flood-affected areas
with immediate food assistance World Vision India has already started responding to the immediate needs of the affected population. 820 families in Madhepura region, North Bihar have received shelter material through the flood response. World Vision also plans to provide immediate food assistance covering 4640 people in flood-affected villages of Darbhanga district, Bihar. 3536 people In Lunglai district in Mizoram World Vision has provided food, WASH and shelter kits covering.

Through the India Flood response World Vision India has currently reached 18877 flood-affected people.

"Over the past few years, the intensity of recurring natural hazards in the South Asia region has increased considerably. With the recent floods in India, Nepal and Bangladesh millions of people have been affected and thousands displaced, living in temporary shelters with basic needs of food, water and sanitation not being met. Further forecast of rains would further amplify the plight of the already displaced children and their families," says Jimmy Nadapdap, World Vision’s South Asia and Pacific Regional Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director.

For an interview with World Vision staff in or for more information, please contact:

Jimmy Nadapdap

Regional Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director,

South Asia and Pacific Regional Office

World Vision International
Mobile Number: +63 9176284931 (mobile/cell)
Skype: jimmynadapdap

Annila Harris

Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Communications Manager & Editor,
South Asia and Pacific Regional Office

World Vision International
Mobile Number: +919650211822 (mobile/cell)

Skype: annilaharris