Recent floods in Bangladesh, particularly in Feni, Cumilla, and Noakhali, have highlighted the need for immediate assistance. In these critical times, proper coordination and understanding of the local challenges are essential to deliver targeted assistance in flood-stricken regions. This article highlights the critical insights volunteers must possess to manage relief distribution and rescue operations during floods efficiently. Essential Relief Supplies for Flood-Affected People Readymade Foods In flood conditions, where water levels can be chest-high, the immediate priority is saving lives. Cooking facilities may be inaccessible, making cooked or readymade foods crucial. Substitute rice, lentils, oil, and sugar with items like puffed rice, flattened rice, dates, bread, and boiled potatoes. Packaged foods such as biscuits, nuts, oat bars, and cakes can provide long-lasting energy. If feasible, khichuri would be better. Safe Drinking Water and Water Purification Tablets Access to clean drinking water is critically limited during floods. Carry bottled water or water-purifying tablets and alum to enable individuals to purify water themselves, particularly benefiting those who are housebound. Baby Food and Clothing Children of all ages are at high risk during floods. Provide baby food in addition to general supplies, including powdered milk, rice cereal, semolina, juice, packets of soup, and chips. Additionally, dry clothes and diapers are essential to protect against wet and cold conditions, preventing health complications. Read more: How to Avoid Electric or Gas-related Accidents during Flood Medicines and Medical Equipment Stock essential medicines for waterborne diseases, skin conditions, high blood pressure, cold, fever, cough, and headache. Saline is crucial for treating diarrhea. Equip with first aid supplies, including bandages and antiseptic solutions for wound care. Repellents for Snakes, Mosquitoes, and Insects Floods often bring increased risks of snake bites and insect infestations. Marigold flowers, wormwood, garlic, clove oil, and vinegar can be used to deter snakes. Mosquito coils, sprays, skin lotions, and insect-repellent devices should also be included. Safety instructions for these items must be followed, as sprays can be harmful to newborns and coils may pose fire risks. Clothing for Wet Conditions Prolonged exposure to rain and flood waters can lead to discomfort and illness. The supply list includes dry clothes, umbrellas, and raincoats. Life jackets and sanitary pads are necessary for safety and health. Waterproof bags or plastic zippers are essential for protecting documents and electronics. Read more: How to Stay Safe from Snakes During and After Flood Cleaning Supplies To combat diseases caused by polluted water and humidity, the supplies include soap, detergent, dishwashing powder, and disinfectants like Bheem Bar for sanitation. Battery-Powered Torchlight Power outages during floods make battery-powered torches essential for safety after dark. Using candles or lamps should be avoided due to the risk of gas leaks, which can lead to fire hazards. Food for Cattle and Stray Animals Many flood victims rely on livestock for their livelihood. The food encompasses husks, salt, and hay. Additionally, stray dogs and cats, which face significant hardships during floods, should also be provided with food and care.

BNP on Monday alleged that while people in the flood-affected northeast region have been crying for food and medicines, the party is being obstructed from carrying out relief efforts by the ruling party and law enforcers. “The air in the country’s Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions has become heavy with cries of the flood victims, but the government’s assistance for them is extremely inadequate,” said party standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he called upon all to come forward to serve humanity rising above politics at this bad time in the country. Also read: BNP for permanent solution to recurring floods in Sylhet region As a party of people, the Tuku said BNP has already stood by the flood-hit people in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Feni, Netrokona and Kurigram. He bemoaned that the ruling party activists and police have been obstructing the BNP leaders and activists from distributing relief materials among the flood victims. Tuku, the convener of BNP’s relief committee, said people in the flood-hit areas are starving for lack of food and they are suffering from various diseases for lack of treatment and medicines. “At this time, they (AL activists) are impeding the distribution of relief materials by BNP. They are attacking our preparatory meeting on relief distribution with sticks and firearms, injuring our leaders and workers while police are foiling our programmes,” he said. The BNP leader said people are venting their anger by saying that they are not getting relief from the government. Apart from relief, he said people are facing an acute shortage of medicines due to the outbreak of the water-borne disease. “Skin diseases are now seriously spreading in the flood-hit Haor areas. For lack of medicine, flood victims are applying turmeric and kerosene oil to their bodies. I saw it with my own eyes. It can’t be understood the real scenario without visiting the areas. The situation there is terrible there,” Tuku observed. He said the government is not giving attention to the sufferings of the flood victims. “The welfare of the people is no longer the goal of this regime. Their focus is on mega projects from where they make a hefty profit.” Also read: BNP blames govt for fresh spike in Covid cases The BNP leader claimed that their party leaders and activists have already helped over one lakh flood-hit families with relief materials and in various ways, including moving the victims to flood shelters, providing treatment, medicines, making houses and giving the farmers seeds. “We’ve continued these activities.”

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing over Tk 2.3 crore ($244,680) of emergency funding to deliver critical relief to families and communities hit hardest by floods.The emergency support is coming in response to record-level rainfall and catastrophic flooding across areas of northern Bangladesh. Read: Flood claims 22 lives in Sylhet division in 7 days, says divisional health director“Some of these areas have not seen floodwaters like this for over 120 years. The United States continues to stand by the government and the people of Bangladesh during these challenging times and will support our partners on the ground to deliver crucial assistance to people in areas most affected by the deluge,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Helen LaFave on Wednesday.

A 45-year-old man who sustained injuries while collecting relief thrown from a helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) in Tahipur upazila in Sunamganj on Monday died at a hospital in Sylhet on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Biplab Mia, son of Shahid Ali of Tahirpur upazila. Matiur Rahman Moti, former member of Tahirpur union, said BAF members distributed relief materials among the flood victims from a helicopter at Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium at Tahirpur upazila headquarters on Monday. Six people including Biplab suffered injuries while they were scrambling for the relief materials. The injured were taken to Tahirpur Upazila Health Complex.  Read: Flood situation worsens in Kurigram, over 2 lakh affected Of the injured, Biplab, father of two sons and two daughters, was shifted to Ragib Rabeya Medical College on Monday night where he succumbed to his injures around 9 am on Tuesday.  

There have been 59 reported incidents of corruption in relief distribution across the country in various projects, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman has said.

Around 11.14 lakh families have been affected and remain waterlogged, while 135 lives have so far been lost in the country’s current bout of flooding that set in during the last week of June.