In technical partnership with Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services, CARE is undertaking the River Bank Erosion Based Anticipatory Response project to protect and reduce the loss and damage of vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of riverbank erosion, said a press release.
In some inundated locations, CARE has built drum raft to ensure uninterrupted mobility for people to move faster. CARE is also providing infrastructure related support in some areas.
With support from UNFPA, CARE distributed nearly 3000 dignity kits to flood affected women and girls of reproductive age and the transgender community in Kurigram and Gaibandha districts.
Given the pandemic, CARE is taking additional measures to reduce the risk of transmission during evacuation and in flood shelters.
“Flood situation is worsening rapidly while waterborne diseases are spreading in some areas. People are already battered by COVID-19 and river erosion is taking a devastating turn in some regions”- shares Ramesh Singh, CARE Bangladesh Country Director.
It is encouraging to note that Bangladesh Government has taken a series of measures and the UN is closely supporting the government response. CARE Bangladesh is doing all it can to respond to the crisis.
As experts have predicted floods will continue till mid-August and concerted efforts are needed from all quarters involving community, NGOs, UN agencies, donors under the leadership of government.”- added Ramesh Singh.
“This year, Bangladesh is in a critical and complex situation dealing with multiple disasters amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of July, CARE Bangladesh has engaged in anticipatory approach by using forecast based information to take early actions, prior to the flood, to reduce losses and damages. So far, we have evacuated people to flood shelters and safe spaces, disseminated forecasts and risk information, prepared community-level WASH points around evacuation points, repaired and installed latrines, and provided dignity kits and cash support to most vulnerable households in high risk locations.” shared Kaiser Rejve, Director, Humanitarian and Resilience Program, CARE Bangladesh.
As part of recovery and response activity, CARE plans to do cash transfer, distribution of non-food items, provide support to construct home shelters and offer services related to gender-based violence (GBV).