Situation
Torrential monsoon rains have caused widespread floods and landslides in Nepal, India and Bangladesh, according to the United Nations, as of 24 Aug, 41 million people are affected and at least 900 people died. The floods have destroyed thousands of homes and damaged infrastructure such as bridges and roads, limiting access to the affected communities. With widespread destruction of crops and water sources contaminated by flood waters, the affected population face risk of disease and severe food shortages. With more than a month to go before the end of the monsoon season, the situation is likely to worsen with more rainfall.
Hong Kong Red Cross Actions
Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) is deploying two staff members to join the International Red Cross in Nepal and Bangladesh, to support the emergency response operations for one month, and continues to closely monitor the situation for making further action plans.
Red Cross Red Crescent Actions
Bangladesh
An emergency appeal for approximately HKD 38 million has been launched by the International Red Cross on 24 August. This operation aims to assist 20,000 families affected by flood in the 20 most affected districts of Bangladesh, with a focus on emergency relief, and early recovery assistance in the following sectors: food and nutrition; health; shelter; livelihood; water, sanitation and hygiene; disaster risk reduction and institutional disaster response capacity enhancement.
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has been responding to the disaster since the flooding started. As of today, BDRCS has reached more than 4,500 families with dry and cooked food, and around 3,000 families with more than 20,000 litres of safe drinking water. The BDRCS volunteers are supporting the government medical teams, including providing first aid services.
India
The International Red Cross has mobilized approximately HKD 5.9 million to support the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) to provide immediate relief in the states of Assam, Manipur and Bihar.
The IRCS has distributed 1,250 food parcels and bottled water and provided medicines to 600 persons in the State of Bihar. To update, IRCS has mobilized 600 mosquito nets, 600 kitchen sets, 600 tarpaulin pieces, 300 towels, 600 dhotis for men, 300 sarees for women, 600 cotton blankets, 600 bedsheets and 8,000 buckets for the State of Assam. In Manipur, 70 tents were erected to provide provisional shelter for affected families and 2 water purification units are placed in communities to provide clean drinking water.
Nepal
The International Red Cross has already mobilized HKD 4 million to support 35,000 people with the immediate relief operation, and on 23 August, an Emergency Appeal was launched for HKD 28.9 million to support 81,000 people for 12 months, with a focus on health, shelter (and non-food relief items), water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, food security and livelihoods.
The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) have mobilized nearly 1,200 volunteers for rescue and evacuation, as well as relief distributions and needs assessment. 36,000 people received cooked food from NRCS. To date, NRCS has distributed 4,787 tarpaulins, 363 cooking utensils, 2,436 mosquito nets, 1,826 blankets, 1,231 sleeping mattresses and 1,180 hygiene kits to affected families.
General Enquiry
Please call 2802 0016, fax to 2802 0017 or email to relief@redcross.org.hk.