Clicky
National, Back Page

EU steps in following flood forecast in Bangladesh


Published : 07 Jul 2020 10:26 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 09:24 PM

The European Union is providing EUR 100,000 (around Tk9.6 million) for “early anticipatory action” to reduce the negative impacts of floods in northern Bangladesh.

The aid will benefit over 3,300 families in some of the hardest hit areas in Kurigram, Gaibandha and Jamalpur districts, the EU head of delegation in Dhaka said on Tuesday.

The EU funding supports the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in using reliable scientific forecast information and risk analysis to foresee the potential impact of the floods and to conduct early actions aimed at reducing human suffering, losses and damage.
The aid includes evacuating the most vulnerable communities to safe shelters with their assets and livestock, providing unconditional cash grants, as well as providing first aid treatment.

The funding provided is part of the EU's overall contribution to the Forecast-based Action (FbA) by the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Heavy monsoon rainfall triggered extensive floods in northern and eastern areas of Bangladesh, causing extensive damage to homes and farmlands across the delta nation’s vast northern regions.

Thousands of people have found themselves marooned or displaced. The flooding could affect up to a million households over the first days of July.

The European Union together with its Member States is the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid. Through its European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the European Union helps over 120 million victims of conflicts and disasters every year.