The Bangladesh chapter of Concern Worldwide, an international NGO based out of Dublin, Ireland, has stepped up its activity in the country in the wake of the deadly recent floods - described by many as the most severe in living memory, in places like Feni and Cumilla. Initially they are focusing on utilising local knowledge and expertise to efficiently manage the flood situation in the affected areas, and post-flood operations have been aligned with the call of the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Prof Muhammad Yunus.

"Our continuous efforts will be focused on ensuring effective coordination so that lifesaving materials reach the flood-affected people in a timely manner," Manish Kumar Agrawal, Country Director for Bangladesh at Concern Worldwide, told Dhaka Courier in an interview this week.

Manish said Concern is continuing to appeal to international communities and donor agencies to mobilise funding for emergency response in Bangladesh.

Concern Worldwide has released an emergency fund of Tk 13 million from its internal resources to start an immediate response in Noakhali district.

Once the water level goes down, he said, the scenario of impact needs to be available to plan support for rebuilding the lives of the people in the flood-affected districts. The support for shelter, health, livelihood and other key areas needs to be prioritised for rebuilding lives.

Concern Worldwide will work with the interim government, partners, UN and other humanitarian agencies on the need assessment and plan for the recovery of the flood-affected people, Manish said.

As an immediate emergency response, Concern Worldwide, in partnership with the Sajida Foundation, is reaching over 6,000 families with ready to eat food and essential non-food items in the flood-affected communities.

An Emergency Response Team of Concern Worldwide and Sajida Foundation reached on the ground to support around 40,000 flood-affected people in two upazilas of Noakhali district.

Bangladesh is experiencing devastating flash floods in its eastern districts, affecting close to 6 million people in 11 districts.

This is the fourth consecutive natural disaster in the last four months in Bangladesh, which makes the situation very complex: Cyclone Remal in May, followed by northeastern floods in June, northern floods in July, and now flash floods in eastern Bangladesh.

Estimates suggest that over 20 million people across 40% of Bangladesh have been affected due to these consecutive disasters. Communities caught up in the flooding are highly vulnerable to being cut off from essential support. Urgent humanitarian support is needed in flood-affected districts to save lives.

The Concern Worldwide team along with its partner Sajida Foundation is already on the ground to assist flood-affected people in Noakhali district. "Our team is also coordinating closely with local administration and other stakeholders to ensure no one is left behind," Manish said.

To ensure safe drinking water, he said, they are providing mineral water (5 L) for 6,000 families along with water purification tablets for these households.

"For shelter, our emergency relief included tarpaulin for the thousands of families. A ready to eat flood package is being distributed to the flood-affected people. In addition, disposable sanitary napkins are included in the relief package to meet the practical health and hygiene needs of women and adolescent girls," said the country director.

"When an emergency strikes, we are among the first on the ground, mobilising funding and teams in the first 48 hours," he said. They are currently providing emergency support in Noakhali Sadar and Sonaimuri upazilas.

While the latest floods devastated lives in the affected districts, the most hard-hit groups include children, adolescent girls, women, pregnant and nursing mothers, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

"Our emergency relief distributions are specifically targeted to address the needs of these marginalised and most vulnerable populations," Manish said while responding to a question.

The impact in terms of loss and damage due to ever-increasing climate change is clearly evident and now of greater concern, particularly damaged shelter and communication, crop loss, education, healthcare infrastructure, as well as water sanitation facilities for the affected population in Bangladesh.

"Concern Worldwide ensures that the most vulnerable are protected during emergencies and works with communities to safeguard against damage and loss in the case of future disasters," he said, adding that Concern's emergency response targeted hard to reach areas to support thousands of flood-affected people.

Post-flood Rehabilitation Efforts

Once floodwater fully recedes, Manish said, they will get to know a clearer situation of the damage but looking at the large scale of these floods, they anticipate public health emergencies (possibility of water and vector borne diseases) and major loss of livelihoods.

Concern's emergency response team is part of wider emergency response coordination both at national and local level and they are continually assessing the actual and unmet needs of the affected people.

"As flood water gradually recedes, we are already planning to ramp up our response in coming days and weeks to support affected people towards food security and nutrition, repairing / rehabilitation of their damaged houses, curbing water and vector borne diseases and livelihood recovery," he said.

"We would also like to mention that we are experiencing severe resource constraints and requesting donors to come forward and extend generous financial assistance so that we can assist people who are in dire need," Manish said.

"Concern as an international humanitarian and development organisation has been active in Bangladesh for over 50 years; we have good experience of supporting livelihoods and health and nutrition in a post-disaster context with a strong focus on gender equality and inclusion," he said.

Manish mentioned that they will prioritise support in these sectors and work as per the guidance of the interim government and in collaboration with other stakeholders.

Immediate Challenges

Concern's prompt and early actions to stand by the flood victims drew support and encouragement from Masud J. Khan, Ireland's Honorary Consul in Bangladesh.

"I am pleased to see the timely efforts from Concern Worldwide to manage the flood situation in Bangladesh," Masud said, adding: "We hope the support will continue and may the ties between Bangladesh and Ireland continue to prosper and reach greater heights."

Masud, also deputy managing director of the Cosmos Group, noted Concern Worldwide's presence in at least 26 countries around the world doing important humanitarian work, and its long and cherished engagement in Bangladesh, which goes right back to the days of the War of Liberation in 1971 - and even earlier standing by the victims of the infamous Bhola cyclone of 1970.

One of the things common to all disasters is that when they strike, it's always the poorest that suffer most, with the women and children among them bearing the heaviest burden.

"When an emergency response turns to recovery, we work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders, local partners and with the local communities to meet their recovery and rebuilding needs and help them plan in a way that helps in building back better," said Manish, the Concern country director.

These floods in Bangladesh not only destroyed homes, critical infrastructure like roads and other communication networks, but also severely impacted the livelihood assets of communities such as agriculture, fisheries and livestock.

Many of those who sought shelter in mosques and community centres will need support to rebuild their houses and shelters. Repair of infrastructure and schools and health facilities is crucial for making them functional and accessible to all.

The people in flood-affected districts, who will rely on contaminated water from ponds and wells for drinking, washing, and cooking, are at risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.

In the flood-affected districts, health facilities are fully damaged. There is potential risk of a communicable disease outbreak as floodwaters recede.

"Pregnant women are not able to come to the facility for antenatal care, institutional delivery by the midwives, postnatal care, and postpartum family planning services due to difficulty in access and a lack of funds for transport costs," Manish said.