Week-long rains have triggered landslides and caused severe flooding in the southeastern Chittagong region of Bangladesh, leaving at least 34 people dead and hundreds of thousands of others affected, including many already vulnerable Rohingya refugees.
Catholic charity Caritas Bangladesh and the Catholic youth group, Jesus Youth, are working to support the neediest in the midst of the crisis.
In addition to the 34 confirmed fatalities, 28 injuries are reported across four camps and six sub-districts and two municipalities in Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Chattogram and Bandarban districts and Chattogram City Corporation, according to Caritas Bangladesh.
A total of 241,154 people including 7,416 Rohingyas in 25 camps are severely affected by floods and landslides under 46 unions and three municipalities of 16 Sub-districts in the area, Apurbo Mrong, Program Director of Caritas Bangladesh told Crux Now.
“In response to the need at the local level, our Chattogram Regional Office will provide dry food to 200 households today (Jul. 11),” Mrong told Crux Now.
Caritas is observing the response gaps of government and other agencies including local, national and INGOs as well as UN agencies in the affected areas, and is using its own fund for emergency lifesaving assistance to the most affected people.
The social arm of Catholic Church in Bangladesh also will participate in any competitive emergency response calls of UN agencies, INGOs or Institutional donors for the affected areas.
Caritas will coordinate with members of Start Bangladesh – part of a network comprised of 134 NGOs delivering humanitarian aid and support across six continents – to monitor and highlight gaps in response to needy persons and areas.
“Our team and volunteers are at the ground and supporting the local government as well as the vulnerable HHs in their best possible way.
“As rain is still continuing,” Mrong added, “we will extend our support to the affected community, based on the need and funding availability.”
“We are in the process of mobilizing local level pool fund to support the flood affected community in an earlier possible time so the affected community people can meet their urgent needs,” Mrong also said.
The aid packages for families include several pounds of rice and roughly two pounds of jaggery (a staple cane sugar concentrate used throughout the region), along with two liters of water, one packet of candles, and one gas lighter.
Roughly 200 families are receiving the supplies.
The Catholic youth group Jesus Youth has also extended a helping hand to the flood victims, with members distributing food and water to the flood victims and helping to evacuate the flood victims safely.
In response to the ongoing flood situation in and around Bandarban town, the Jesus Youth Bandarban Team has begun distributing safe drinking water to families affected by flooding.
“While it is not possible to reach every flood-affected area,” group leaders said in a Facebook post, “we are doing our best to serve as many people as we can with the resources available.”
“Every bottle of clean water delivered is a reminder that even a small act of love can bring hope in difficult times,” they said.
The group leaders’ message also asked for prayers as well as acts of concrete charity, no matter how great or small.
“Please continue to keep all flood-affected families in your prayers,” the group said. “If you are able,” they said, “extend a helping hand in any way possible.”