Singapore, 5 September 2024 – In response to the severe flooding in the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) will commit USD 50,000 to support emergency operations, providing essential aid and relief to affected communities through the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS). 

SRC remains in close contact with BDRCS and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to monitor the situation, and stands ready to provide further assistance. 

SRC is launching a public fundraising appeal to further support the recovery efforts in Bangladesh. 

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and displacement caused by the severe floods. We are working very closely with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and IFRC to monitor the situation and to explore areas of collaboration and assistance. We hope that the people of Singapore will stand in solidarity to support  the affected communities,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of the Singapore Red Cross. 

Due to the heavy rainfall since late August, more than 5.8 million people have been affected in 492 municipalities and at least 502,501 people have been sheltered in 3,403 evacuation centres. According to humanitarian partners and media, 52 people have died across 11 districts of eastern Bangladesh. 1,227,554 families are trapped in floodwaters in 11 districts, with 73 upazilas (administrative divisions) almost completely submerged. In addition, several highways and roads have been affected by floods, and more than 1 million people remain without electricity. The affected districts are Noakhali, Cumilla, Feni, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Khagrachari, Chattogram, Cox’ Bazar, and Sylhet, with Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Cumilla and Feni as the most affected.

BDRCS are on the frontline of rescue, relief, and coordination in the recent flood in the eastern part of Bangladesh. National Disaster Response Team (NDRT) / NDRT Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) members have been deployed across five districts to coordinate with local units in the response operation. BDRCS has also carried out distribution of essential food items to more than 20,000 families, in addition to dispatching mobile water treatment plants, hygiene parcels, shelter tool kits and kitchen sets. A mobile medical team has also been deployed to Feni, with additional mobile medical teams on standby for deployment to Cumilla, Noakhali and Feni. In flood-affected areas, there are increasing cases of diarrhoeal diseases and a high risk for mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.

Image via BDRCS/IFRC