Women and children at risk as Bangladesh floods cause severe water, food crisis, ActionAid says

Reacting to the flooding of rivers in Bangladesh that has affected more than 3 million people, especially women and girls, Farah Kabir the Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh said:  

“We are deeply concerned about the impact of the flooding, particularly on women and children who are the most vulnerable in such emergencies. The immediate challenges include access to safe drinking water and access to medical services and food. The disruption of roads and communication has further escalated their plight, making it difficult for them to reach safety and essential resources. The collapse of the sanitation system in many areas has heightened the public health crisis, disproportionately affecting these groups. 

Entire families have lost everything. We are working tirelessly to provide relief, but the scale of the crisis is overwhelming. Our immediate goal is to provide dry food, a dignity kit, clean and safe drinking water, and oral saline to 7,500 flood victims in at least 30 centers in Noakhali. Additionally, we are planning to distribute multipurpose cash grants, dignity kits, and hygiene kits among the impacted communities at this stage.” 

Hundreds of thousands of people are stranded and desperately require humanitarian assistance during the ongoing flood crisis that has severely impacted 8 districts of Bangladesh, including Cumilla, Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, and Moualvibazar. The floodwaters, originating from rising river levels in the northeastern and eastern regions of the country and exacerbated by ongoing heavy rainfall, have affected approximately 3 million people, as per information from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and media reports. 

Tragically, six deaths have been reported so far due to drowning, as the affected communities face numerous challenges, including displacement, and loss of homes and livestock.  

ActionAid calls upon the government and other humanitarian agencies to step up their efforts and provide immediate relief to the affected communities.   

Contact the ActionAid press office on [email protected] or on +263776665065.