On August 22st, 2024, flash floods in Bangladesh have affected 5.7 million people and claimed over 20 lives. Eleven districts have been severely impacted, with critical infrastructure destroyed. While floodwaters are receding, 350,000 people remain in emergency shelters, urgently needing help. Landslides have further displaced families and caused more injuries.
A Nation Under Water: An Unfolding Humanitarian Crisis
Heavy monsoon rains have unleashed devastating flash floods across 11 districts in Bangladesh, affecting 5.7 million people, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. The situation is dire, with over 20 lives lost and thousands more stranded. Homes have been destroyed, hundreds of thousands of acres of crops – essential for food supply and livelihoods – have been washed away, and over 4 million people are severely impacted.
The eastern districts, especially Feni, located just 60 miles northwest of Chittagong, have been hit the hardest. In Feni alone, over 350,000 residents are plunged into darkness due to power outages, while disrupted telecommunications and flooded infrastructure severely hamper rescue efforts. Hundreds of homes have been submerged, forcing thousands of families to flee, and leaving many stranded on rooftops or in makeshift shelters, desperately awaiting assistance.
This flood crisis has exacerbated the suffering of poor communities, with families struggling to access basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. Children are particularly at risk, facing malnutrition and disease as they await help.
