5,000 BRAC staff on the ground providing emergency relief support
DHAKA, 22 August 2024: 3 million people are stranded in catastrophic flash floods in Bangladesh spanning eight districts across the eastern and southern parts of the country. At least one person has been reported dead in floodwaters so far. Fast-moving water has inundated vast areas of farmland, destroying livelihoods, homes, and crops. 3 million people are stranded, many without electricity, food or water. In the southeastern district of Feni, one of the hardest-hit regions, over 350,000 residents have been plunged into darkness due to severed electricity lines. Breakdowns in telecommunications, interruptions to transport, and flooded roads and highways are complicating rescue efforts.
“These are the worst floods we have seen in three decades. Entire villages, all of the families who lived in them, and everything they owned - homes, livestock, farmlands, fisheries - have been washed away. People had no time to save anything. There are people stranded across the country, and we are expecting the situation to worsen in many places as rains continue,” explained Dr Md Liakath Ali, BRAC’s Director of Climate Change, Urban Development, and Disaster Risk Management.
BRAC teams on the ground
Founded in Bangladesh 52 years ago, BRAC has mobilised 5000 of its employees on the ground. BRAC staff are supporting communities with rescue efforts, dry food, safe drinking water and emergency medicine across the impacted regions, and have already released BDT 30 million (USD 250,000) to support the first wave of relief efforts.
Global appeal
BRAC has launched a global appeal for funds. Please see https://brac.net/dakcheamardesh/ for more information.
