28/07/2004

Agencies rally to ease plight of Bangladesh flood victims

UN agencies are rushing in aid into Bangladesh after devastating floods killed at least 275 people and damaging or destroying over 12 million houses.

With more than 23 million people in Bangladesh affected by devastating floods that could yet worsen, the UN has said that is sending in aid ranging from essential medicines, to food, and water purification tablets.

Nearly one million people have been forced to move into shelters and the situation is still worsening in the capital, Dhaka, where water from several river basins is continuing to flow in. Some two million acres of crops has also been damaged or destroyed in Bangladesh.

Flooding has also hit the neighbouring Indian state of Assam, affecting nearly 10,500 villages with a total population of more than 12 million people, killing more than 180 people and rendering millions homeless.

A new Operations Coordination Room has been set up to consolidate all assessments on the ground in Bangladesh.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing drugs and medical supplies and the World Food Programme (WFP) has already been distributing high energy biscuits, rice and polypropylene bags.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has pledged a further $100,000 for nutrition, sanitation, health and water-related needs and has also donated water purification tablets, temporary sanitary facilities and food for young children.

The forecast for the country of 124 million people remains one of prolonged flooding, with possible recurrences towards the end of August.

(gmcg)

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