Emergency Support to Flood Victims

Among the working districts of CSS-Shariatpur, Rajbari and Jessore were the most affected regions in 2017 flood where 15-20 villages had gone under water within a day as the water level of the Padma River rose above the danger level. In Shariatpur alone floodwater inundated 15 unions in four upazilas, forcing the authorities of around 90 schools, mostly primary ones, to shut down. Many villages in Zanjira and Naria, remained under water for at least one month. The situation took a turn for the worse over the next 10 days, leaving a large number of people deserted. Many also lost their farms and belongings to riverbank erosion. Many victims were taking shelter in safe places while others refused to vacate their homesteads.

CSS responded to this situation by reaching 3300 affected families with survival package. A survival package is bundle of food and non-food items that includes rice, lentils, edible oil, salt, potato, flattened rice, baby food, molasses and oral saline. This package was good enough to support a family of 5 members for at least one week.

People appreciated the help so much and said, “CSS has genuinely selected the most affected and poorest of the poor families who have no other options to collect the food they needed so desperately at this point of time”.

In 2017 CSS played a significant role in helping the flood victims to recover the loss. Bangladesh is a vulnerable country to flooding due to its geographical location on the Ganges Delta and the many rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal. During the monsoon of 2017 the record-breaking rain caused a severe flood situation in Bangladesh. The living condition got worsen in the month of August, when severe flooding in low-lying areas caused significant damage to house, roads, bridges, arable land and other infrastructure. Remote villages had been cut off and vulnerable communities were left without safe drinking water, electricity, hygienic sanitation and adequate food supply. Study shows that at least 7 million people had been affected.