WV Bangladesh declares a Category II, National Office Response to flooding in Northern Bangladesh

In consultation with the South Asia Pacific Region, World Vision Bangladesh declares a Category II, National Office Response to address the immediate needs of people affected by the flooding across the Northern and Eastern part of Bangladesh.

Floods caused by heavy monsoon rains over the last few days and a rush of water from upstream have already claimed at least 89 lives and affected over three million people in the Northern and Eastern parts of Bangladesh. As per media reports Bangladesh has experienced one of its worst flooding.

An estimated 110,400 hectares of cultivated land have been affected. A total of 12,719 tube-wells have been submerged in Kurigram District alone leaving people without easy access to potable water. According to the Department of Public Health Engineering, the affected communities require temporary shelters, access to food and safe drinking water, as well as emergency medical services.

Many major rivers are currently flowing above their danger mark, with some rivers showing a rising trend. The situation may worsen if rain continues in both Bangladesh and in upper catchment areas in India.

World Vision Bangladesh is also concerned about the 12,160 registered children and thousands of other children, and their family members who have been affected by the floods inDinajpur, Nilphamary, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Kurigram, Panchgarh, Gaibandha, Sirajgonj, Bogra, Rajbari, Madaripur, Shoriotpur, Foridpur, Netrokona, Bramhonbaria districts. In flood affected districts World Vision has 13,436 registered children.

GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE:
Bangladesh Government has allocated 19.94 million BDT (US$ 0.25 million) and 6,613 metric ton of rice to flood-affected districts, while 1,219 local medical teams have been deployed to the flood affected districts to address emerging health problems. The government has also deployed the army to shore up embankments in the north of the country.

The Government has opened 1693 flood shelter centres, 326,528 people are now displaced and 1,000 schools have been closed and are being used as flood shelters where more than 282,479 people have taken shelter. Many people are still in search for shelters on higher grounds in the most affected Dinajpur, Bogra, Kurhigram and other districts.

WORLD VISION’S RESPONSE:
World Vision Bangladesh plans to extend support to complement the on going Government efforts to assist and support the flood-affected people in coordination with other organizations. Currently, WVB teams are conducting rapid assessments in coordination with other partners.

World Vision Bangladesh plans to respond to immediate needs of shelter, NFIs (WASH), multipurpose cash programming, health and hygiene messaging along with food programming as required, covering around 50,000 people.

“Bangladesh is experiencing a severe flood, like never before. Over three million people have been affected. The displaced population has lost their homes, food and livelihood.. World Vision will mobilise its response fund targeting to help at least 50 thousand affected people who will be provided with food, non-food items and health care awareness. I appeal for your prayers and financial support to stand beside the vulnerable flood affected people,” says Fred Witteveen, National Director, World Vision Bangladesh.

REQUEST TO WORLD VISION PARTNERSHIP:
We request you all to pray for the people of the country and appeal for fund US$1,000,000 to stand for most affected people, especially children and women, and most who are affected the most.

For more information please contact:

WV Bangladesh HEA:
Name/s:  Dr. Glorious Gragory Das
Director - Technical Program Support &
Acting Director - Humanitarian Emergency Affairs
Cellphone: +8801730700138
Email: GloriousGragory_Das@wvi.org
Skype: gloriousgragorydas

WV Bangladesh Communications:
Saibal Sangma | Director – Communications | World Vision Bangladesh
Email: Saibal_sangma@wvi.org,
Skype: saibal.sangma
Phone: +8801711543507