PRESS RELEASE (26 August 2024) Fahima* from Moulvibazar took her daughter, Nishi* and Rina*, on her shoulders as the water levels reached their neck on 23 August. While conducting a rapid needs assessment in the area Save the Children met her and her daughters. She said, “We took our kids to shelter on the higher ground when the water submerged our home and everything we own. Our children were hungry, and we managed with some support from the neighbors. Their schools have shut down, exams are postponed, and most of our belongings, including our clothes, beds, and their books have been destroyed.”

Heavy rainfall has caused severe flood citations across Bangladesh, impacting 11 districts. More than 4.9 million people, including over 2 million children, have been severely affected by the extensive flooding.

Save the Children in Bangladesh has collaborated with local partners in Feni and Moulvibazar to provide dry food, safe water, unconditional cash, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, education in emergencies (EiE) kits, and shelter repair and evacuation support as an immediate response. Four teams have been deployed in the severely affected districts. Additionally, we have conducted a rapid needs assessment to identify areas in need and disseminated early warning to landslide-vulnerable areas in Chittagong. With support from donors and partners, Save the Children in Bangladesh is initially supporting 2,500 families and will gradually increase the coverage to Lakshmipur and Moulvibazar districts to cover a total population of 150,000.

Shumon Sengupta, Country Director of Save the Children in Bangladesh, said:

“Bangladesh is experiencing the worst floods in decades, affecting over 2 million children, who are amongst the most vulnerable to disasters. The country is experiencing intensifying and more frequent extreme weather events, including recent heatwaves that forced the temporary closure of schools. These events increase children’s vulnerability to protection risks, in addition to adversely impacting their health, nutrition, education, and household economy. As a result of the recent floods, Children are trapped in several affected areas. With essential services becoming dire, reaching out to them and addressing their needs is a top priority.

The severity of these disaster events is likely to increase with the increasing impacts of climate change, and Bangladesh must focus on adapting resilient measures and anticipatory action to ensure that communities and the youth are prepared. Our experience as Save the Children in Bangladesh shows that engaging youth and providing them with the necessary knowledge makes them impactful advocates for climate change mitigation and resilience within their communities.” Save the Children has been working in Bangladesh for more than 50 years. Together with the government, civil society organizations, and businesses, we respond to major emergencies, deliver development programs, and ensure children’s voices are heard through our campaigning to build a better future.

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* denotes names changed to protect identity