Operational Summary
19-23 July: Heavy rains in the main river basins of Bangladesh and upstream catchments of India have caused severe flooding in the north and north-eastern parts of Bangladesh affecting 19 districts. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) mobilized volunteers to provide immediate assistance, including evacuation services.
24-28 July: BDRCS allocated CHF 8,750 (BDT 700,000) for procurement and distribution of dry food in seven flood affected districts (Kurigram, Bogra, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Sunamganj). Nilphamari Red Crescent unit distributed cash for dry food to 1,000 families, while Bogra Red Crescent unit distributed dry food to 400 families through their local fund.
Four Red Crescent units mobilised eight water treatment kits (capacity 1,000 lit/hr) and NHQ mobilized one treatment kit (capacity 4,000 lit/hr) to provide safe drinking water to the affected people.
29 July: An update entry made on DMIS and an information bulletin published.
2 August: 50 mobile rapid latrine and around 3,000 water buckets mobilized to four districts.
4 August: To respond to the heavy rains in mid-July and subsequent severe flooding, Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) organized a meeting to decide on the trigger for a rapid needs assessment.
8 August: CHF 248,701 allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Emergency Relief Fund (DREF) to support BDRCS in addressing the immediate needs of up to 55,000 people.
Flood situation in Jamalpur district. Photo BDRCS / IFRC
11-15 August: 106 people have died as a consequence of the floods as of 11 August 2016 (96 from drowning and 10 from snake-bite).
Around 7,400 people are seeking refuge in 69 flood shelters. Based on the damaged situation and considering the HCTT damaged report BDRCS has identified 11 affected districts and allocated emergency food and non-food items packages for two weeks’ assistance. BDRCS mobilized resources in eleven districts to support 6,000 families in terms of non-food items and cash for immediate food and household needs. A communication team (IFRC AP Region, CO and BDRCS) moved to the field for 3 days and collected case stories.
16 August: Emergency Appeal launched for CHF 1,637,374 to support BDRCS to scale-up the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 105,000 people.
18-26 August: Teleconference with movement Donors and partners on Flood 2016. BDRCS, with support from IFRC, organized shelter cluster meeting on 18 August. IFRC Head of Country office visited flood affected communities on 22 and 23 August, following which IFRC publishes web stories highlighting the daily struggle of affected families in the north. BDRCS mobilized five medical teams to the affected areas (each team consisted of one physician, one paramedic and two RC youth volunteers).
Apart from the prevailing flood situation the country has also experienced two other disasters as mentioned below:
Tornado: At least nine people were killed and over a hundred others injured in Faridpur, Munshiganj, Magura, Naongaon, Tangail and Dhaka districts as a tornado swept through the areas on 21 August, 2016. Tornado damaged more than 1,000 houses and 20 shops. Around 1,000 trees and electric poles were uprooted during the storm, disrupted power supply in the affected areas. A number of people are living under the open sky who have lost their houses. Emergency Shelter and foods are most priority needs in the affected areas. RCY volunteers of Munshiganj unit provided first aid among the injured. Government distributed 1 ton Chira (Flatten rice) and BDT 2000 (each injured person) in Munshiganj district. Government also allocated BDT 300,000 and 50 MT rice in Faridpur district.
Water logging in Jessore district: Heavy rainfall in the 2nd week of August In Jessore district, caused waterlogging in Keshabpur, Abhaynagar and Manirampur upazilas. According to recent Joint need assessment (JNA) initial findings, nearly 490,300 people (98,060 families) were affected and 23 people were died in these upazilas. A significant number of the affected people (92,960) were displaced from their houses and faced difficulties to access safe water, sanitation facilities and shelters. They also suffered due to the disruptions in their livelihoods, communication system and education, as well as serious damages to crops. According to NIRAPAD situation report on 31 August, total 16,849 houses, 125.53 km roads and 16,297 hectors croplands were damaged and 290 educational institutions & 106 religious institutions were inundated and 16,297 hectors croplands damaged & 12,513 hectors hatcheries submerged due to the impact of waterlogging. Heavy rainfall in the 2nd week of August In these upazilas, the excessive rain water caused waterlogging in 28 unions and two municipalities. With the inundation of the dwelling areas, affected people have lost their latrines and tube-well. It is serious concern for women and children, in particular, and generally, for public health. Also, women and children displaced by the waterlogging have become exposed to abuse and gender based violence. The government allocated 100 MT rice and BDT 200,000 (CHF 2500) as GR cash for the waterlogging affected people.