A woman and her two grandchildren struggle to reach to safety through the flooded banks of the Bhukshimul River.

In June 2010 flash floods in northern Bangladesh destroyed hundreds of thousands of people’s homes and livelihoods. Rain-triggered landslides in the south of Bangladesh also caused devastating structural damage and resulted in over 60 deaths. Last month, Muslim Aid launched an emergency appeal to support the people affected by the disaster. These people are vulnerable, at risk of malnutrition and falling into absolute poverty unless they receive help fast.

What Muslim Aid Has Done One Month On:

During the first month, Muslim Aid focused on providing emergency assistance. Healthcare and essential food supplies such as rice, lentils, cooking oil, salt and cash grants for other vital supplies, were distributed to 1,000 vulnerable families. A further 12,000 people will also be assisted with emergency relief. For at least 40% of these people, their income does not support their daily food requirements.

Muslim Aid is working in the worst affected areas in the Sylhet Division in the Netrokona, Moulvibazar and Sunamgonj Districts in the north where it has six offices. A number of families have been assisted with shelter and materials to rebuild their homes, through our four regional offices in Teknaf and Ukihya in southern Bangladesh.
Muslim Aid has partnered with local NGOs in the flood-affected areas including the ‘Women Development Organisation’ (WDO), allowing Muslim Aid to assist vulnerable groups such as women and children with the right healthcare, food and assistance.

Current Situation:

To date, around half a million homes have been flooded and over one million tonnes of crops have been destroyed. The disaster is expected to have a long-term impact on the livelihood of thousands who have lost their livestock, food grains and standing crops. It will take at least three years to recover from the loss of one year’s crop. The majority of those that have been affected are living on the margins of poverty and now face the next couple of years without food and means to a livelihood.

Your Help:

While we are working with our partners on the ground to provide people with long-term assistance and emergency relief, more help is urgently required. The current situation is expected to deteriorate as more rainfall in the region is expected. Help is therefore needed to protect villages from further erosion and flooding. Your help will go towards helping the most vulnerable and poorest people in Bangladesh survive this disaster for the next three months till the water recedes.

Muslim Aid Hospital in Kalura helps the flash flood victims.

Women and children queuing for essential medicine and healthcare provided by Muslim Aid

Please help them to re-build their lives and donate now