Attachments
Today, in support to the Government and the people of Bangladesh, UNHCR has handed over 4,750 family tents to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society - BDRCS, which will be distributed to the most vulnerable Bangladeshi families throughout the country, who have been displaced by torrential rain and flooding.
While most Districts in Bangladesh have been affected by flooding this year, some areas have been worse hit than others, with 5.4 million people affected and 167 thousand families temporarily displaced, including in Sirajganj, Jamalpur and Rangpur Districts in particular. “We are happy to know that UNHCR is providing almost 5,000 tents for flood affected people all over the country through BDRCS. It’s important to see UNHCR extending support to the local communities all over the country, wherever the needs are dire. This is good news for us and for the Bangladeshi people. We’ve seen crucial support for the local community in the past months including building ICU capacity in Cox’s Bazar at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic” said Mr. Md. Kamal Hossain, the Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar
The tents, worth approximately USD 2.5 million, will support an estimated 24,000 flood affected Bangladeshis throughout the country, in particular in 26 northern Districts.
“BDRCS in partnership with UNHCR is working closely to provide support to the flood affected people all over the country. We warmly thank the Government of Bangladesh for the support and cooperation. This contribution will strengthen the preparedness and resilience to disasters and serve the community, in receiving immediate response and temporary shelter for the displaced people.” said Afsar Uddin Siddique, Deputy Director & In-Charge of BDRCS.
UNHCR has been working closely with BDRCS and other partners to support the Government of Bangladesh Cyclone Preparedness Programme, Water and Flood safety training, cash based intervention -CBI, as well as providing emergency support and relief to both Rohingya refugees and local Bangladeshi families, affected by adverse weather conditions in Bangladesh.
The important work of both Bangladeshi and Rohingya volunteers in protecting and providing emergency response for their communities cannot be overstated. This has been even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when volunteers served as first responders, saving lives throughout the country.
“We are closely coordinating assistance and support to the local communities with the Deputy Commissioner. Today, with BDRCS, we are able to assist victims of floods in the northern Districts of Bangladesh. While a refugee agency, UNHCR continuously extends the hand of support to the people of Bangladesh in their time of need. Support and assistance to refugees and local communities alike has been strategic objective of UNHCR in Bangladesh ” said Mr.
Marin Din Kajdomcaj, UNHCR Head of Operations in Cox’s Bazar.
ENDS Media contacts In Cox’s Bazar:
Louise Donovan donovan@unhcr.org; +880 18 4732 7279 In Dhaka:
Mostafa Mohammad Sazzad Hossain; hossaimo@unhcr.org; +8801313046459