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Bangladesh

Bangladesh: Landslides DREF operation n° MDRBD007

Attachments

GLIDE n=B0 FL-2010-001140-BGD

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 125,874 (USD 113,575 or EUR 91,697) has been requested from IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in delivering immediate assistance to at least 1,300 families (approximately 6,500 people). Un-earmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Summary:

Heavy rainfalls accompanied by gusty winds that took place from 14 till 15 June 2010 in the south-eastern part of Bangladesh have resulted in devastating landslides and flash floods in the districts of Cox's Bazaar and Bandarban. Local administration sources confirmed that at least 55 people died as a result of the landslides, while over 100 others were injured and 12 people are missing. The rainfall has also caused a significant amount of damage to homes, crops, shrimp cultivation farms and communication systems. According to the latest reports, 2,797 families in the Cox's Bazaar and Bandarban districts have been badly affected. Roads to Cox's Bazaar have been cut off due to the inundation of water, and the severely damaged bridges and culverts. On account of the landslides and the floods, the central government has immediately allocated BDT 1,600,000 (CHF 25,787) and 150 tonnes of rice for the affected people.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society's staff members and volunteers participated in the rescue and evacuation of the affected population by coordinating with respective local administrations. The national society's Cox's Bazaar unit responded by immediately distributing dry food and drinking water to displaced people who took cover in schools and cyclone shelters. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society's national headquarters (NHQ), with support from IFRC and staff members from the DIPECHO programme, sent a team to conduct a joint rapid assessment. The assessment reports indicate that the immediate needs of the affected people include food, non-food items (NFIs), including emergency shelter materials, and household materials.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) plans to assist at least 1,300 most affected families through this operation over the next few months.

This operation is expected to be implemented over three months, and will; therefore, be completed by 22 September 2010. A Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 22 December 2010).