Millions affected by ‘catastrophic and massive flooding’ in Bangladesh
The devastation has prompted the United Nations refugee agency (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) in a hurry humanitarian aid items from its domestic stockpiles to help those in need.
More than 18 million people Bangladesh has been hit by the harsh monsoon conditions, with more than 1.2 million families stranded as flash floods engulfed large areas in the east and southeast of the country.
Roads, farmland and fisheries were also severely damaged, seriously affecting livelihoods.
Emergency humanitarian response
UNHCR is providing core relief items and other humanitarian assistance to help address the most urgent needs of local communities in the area, including shelter and health.
They have transported medical supplies to health clinics in the worst-affected districts of Feni and Comilla, including 350,000 water purification tablets, 20,000 plastic cans, 15,000 hygiene kits and 10,000 emergency shelters, among other items.
These supplies are intended to help local authorities combat the spread of waterborne diseases and ensure clean drinking water.
Support for the Rohingya
Continuous heavy monsoon rains also caused flash floods and landslides in Rohingya refugee camps.
The Rohingya Muslim minority suffered horrific violence by the country’s security forces in 2017, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee to Bangladesh.
About one million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh and more than 130,000 others have sought safe haven across the region with no immediate prospect of returning to Myanmar.
Rohingya rights must be protected: Yunus
Amid such vulnerability, Mr. Spindler pledged support for the Rohingya people, declaring that “UNHCR and partners are working around the clock to support affected Rohingya refugees.”.
of Bangladesh Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus also reiterated the need for “sustained efforts by the international community for the humanitarian relief of the Rohingya and their eventual repatriation to their homeland.”Myanmar, with security, dignity and full rights” in his first policy speech.
