Flood Relief in Bangladesh

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Jahura is a 45-year-old widow from Bangladesh, who had spent years struggling to provide for her family. When the flood came— something her village had never experienced before – her hardships became a terrifying fight for survival.

Her fragile home was no match for the rising flood, so she and her daughter made the decision to wade through muddy waters to a nearby house built on higher ground, where they waited for 18 days alongside dozens of other people also seeking shelter. Conditions were unbearable, food was scarce, clean water was limited, and using the toilet meant walking through unsafe, stagnant waters and risking disease. When the water finally withdrew, Jahura returned home, only to find her belongings destroyed.

Through ActionAid’s cash support program, which helps provide short term relief in times of emergencies like this, she received BDT 6,000. With the money, she was able to replace and replenish the essentials she'd lost— blankets, plates, clothes, food, and soap. For the first time since the flood, she felt a small sense of relief.

Months later, the scars of the flood remain. Though home, Jahura now fears what would happen if another disaster were to strike. She is looking to soon take part in ActionAid’s disaster preparedness trainings - something no one in her village had yet received – as part of the long-term recovery phase of response.

Thank you for powering the work and standing alongside vulnerable communities, especially when they most need it.

Thank you for your support of this project, I’m writing to share some updates on ActionAid’s work in response to the floods in Bangladesh.

Recent flooding has affected 11 districts in Bangladesh and has caused widespread devastation, claiming 59 lives and displacing over 0.7 million families. The floods impacted more than 5.3 million people across 504 municipalities, with thousands seeking refuge in shelter centers. Although the floodwaters have been gradually receding in many areas, the situation remains challenging in districts like Cumilla, Noakhali, and Laxmipur, where recovery is still ongoing. The government of Bangladesh has deployed medical teams, provided relief funds, and distributed essential supplies, but there is still a significant need for continued support.

ActionAid has been responding to urgent needs in flood-affected areas, by providing shelter, food, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, with a particular focus on supporting the most vulnerable groups, including women and children. By the end of August 2024, we distributed dignity kits to over 1,500 women and girls, provided over 28,000 hot meals, and delivered water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts, and baby food to affected families in shelter centers. As part of the next phase of response, ActionAid will continue delivery of the items above, and in addition, provide cash support and assistance with shelter repairs, as they are needed.

Beyond providing immediate humanitarian support, as is typical in our two-pronged emergency response which fuses short-and-long term approaches to recovery and relief, ActionAid will focus on climate change advocacy as well as the protection of vulnerable groups by advocating for stronger climate action and better disaster resilience, both nationally and globally. In addition, we are working to improve safeguarding measures in shelters, particularly addressing issues such as privacy, security, and gender-based violence to ensure that vulnerable people are well-protected. Our approach will also emphasize youth leadership and community involvement in recovery efforts, with a focus on amplifying the voices of those most affected by the floods in order to mitigate against future crises.

We appreciate your support of our efforts during this time and will continue to share updates as they are received. Thank you!