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.

Flood situation in Cumilla district deteriorated further with the flooding of fresh areas in the past 24 hours till Saturday, leaving seven lakh people stranded. The water level of Gumti River is flowing 80 cm above its danger mark during this period. The volunteers are seen struggling to distribute relief materials in the flood-hit areas due to lack of boats as roads were submerged. 1235 mobile towers out of order in 10 flood-hit districts: BTRC According to the local administration, a total of 726 shelter centres were opened in the district and some 50,000 people took shelter in those centres. A total of 340 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 15 lakh cash have been allocated for the flood-affected people in the district while a total of 225 medical teams were kept ready to provide medical treatments. Severe flooding devastates Fatikchhari

Every year, floods in Bangladesh unleash devastating impacts, displacing thousands and creating acute shortage of essentials. This recurring crisis underscores the urgent need for increased support. Effective assistance can significantly alleviate immediate suffering and aid in recovery. Active participation from individuals, organizations, and the global community is crucial to address these challenges and help communities rebuild their lives. Let's explore how to take meaningful action to support flood victims. Critical Approaches to Help Flood Victims in Bangladesh Conducting Immediate Rescue Operations Rescuing individuals often involves deploying boats to navigate through floodwaters and reach stranded persons. These boats can navigate through submerged streets and areas, allowing rescuers to reach those cut off from dry land. Speedboats can be utilized for faster response and to cover larger areas efficiently. In severe cases, helicopters are essential for reaching inaccessible or heavily flooded regions. They can airlift individuals from isolated locations, bypassing obstructed or hazardous terrain. Volunteering When it comes to vital hands-on support, volunteers can make a tangible difference in flood-affected areas. This turbulent period raises great demands on various aspects of disaster response, including distributing aid, setting up temporary shelters, and assisting with medical care. By organizing and distributing food, water, and other essential supplies, volunteers ensure that resources reach those who need them the most. In addition, volunteers can support clean-up and rebuilding work, which are vital for restoring communities and infrastructure. Providing emotional support and reassurance to flood survivors is also an important aspect of volunteering, helping to boost morale and strengthen community resilience. Read more: Landslide Safety, Preparedness Tips: Dos and Don'ts Provide Emergency Supplies Distributing non-perishable food items and clean drinking water helps prevent water-borne diseases, malnutrition, and dehydration, which are prevalent in flood-affected areas. Providing warm clothing, blankets, and sleeping mats can also help people fight colds.  Additionally, essential medical supplies such as first aid kits, medications, and hygiene products are vital for treating injuries and deterring disease outbreaks. Besides delivering emergency supplies to the government flood shelters and local people’s houses, temporary shelters, such as colleges, schools, or local multi-storied buildings, where local people take shelter, should also be covered.  Collaborating with local organizations or community groups can enhance the effectiveness of relief distribution, ensuring that aids reach those in greatest need promptly and efficiently. Read more: How to be Safe During and After Heavy Rains Raise Awareness Utilizing social media platforms, local media, and community outreach effectively informs a wider audience about the damage and urgent needs of those affected. Highlighting specific aspects, such as the shortage of clean water, medical supplies, or temporary shelters, can mobilize resources and prompt action from individuals and organizations. Awareness campaigns can also encourage donations and volunteer work, fostering a sense of global solidarity and prompting government and international responses. It facilitates keeping the issue visible and ensures it remains a priority for donors and policymakers. Fund Health and Sanitation Initiatives Flooding can lead to contamination of water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. Funding projects that provide access to clean water and sanitation facilities, such as portable toilets and water purification systems, can significantly improve public health.  Moreover, initiatives like mobile health clinics can be helpful for flood-affected people to provide medical care, vaccinations, and treatment for diseases to address immediate health concerns.  Read more: What can COP27 do for climate vulnerable countries? When the flood water recedes, conducting health education programs can teach proper hygiene practices is an effective approach. It also ensures that communities remain resilient in the face of inundation challenges.

The Embassy of China in Bangladesh, on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), has donated US$ 200,000 to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) to assist those affected by recent floods. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming handed over the donation to BDRCS chairman Major General (Retd) ATM Abdul Wahab on Wednesday. BDRCS Managing Board Member M Manzurul Islam and Secretary General Kazi Shofiqul Azam were also present on the occasion held at the Embassy. Read: Flood death toll stands at 110: DGHS Ambassador Li said China is a long-standing partner for Bangladesh, as evidenced by China’s assistance to Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response and other disaster relief efforts. In the face of the flood situation in Sylhet, RCSC took the initiative to provide necessary support, and this is another example of how China is standing with Bangladesh all the time, he said. The Chinese envoy said China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh in the area of disaster relief and emergency response, so as to better serve the wellbeing of our two peoples.  BDRCS Chairman Wahab said they have never seen this sort of flooding in our living memories in that region. Read:Sylhet flood situation improves as rivers recede Hundreds of thousands of people took refuge as their houses went under water and almost all their neighborhoods flooded. “Red Crescent Volunteer teams were on the ground helping people with much needed dry foods, cooked food and safe drinking water. This contribution from the Red Cross Society of China will help us to carry out relief and recovery operations in the affected areas,” he said.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd (AIBL) has donated Tk10 crore to Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund for the flood-affected people. Alhajj Abdus Samad Labu, executive committee chairman of AIBL, handed over a cheque to Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, principal secretary to the prime minister, at the Prime Minister's Office Monday. Also read: PM: Connectivity is key to national development Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the ceremony online. AIBL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Farman R Chowdhury and Bangladesh Association of Banks President Nazrul Islam Mazumder were also present, said a media statement Monday. Read AIBL launches ‘Islamic Wallet’

Huawei Technologies Bangladesh has stepped forward with relief materials to support the flood-hit people of Netrokona's Khaliajuri upazila. A relief distribution event was arranged in the district in this connection Saturday. Many districts of Bangladesh are going through a difficult phase as flash floods have affected people around the country, marooning thousands of people and putting their livelihood in jeopardy. Read Seeds for the Future winners visit Huawei Bangladesh headquarters So, Huawei distributed relief items among the needy and flood-affected people in the Netrokona district Saturday. Around 2,000 families received essential items such as rice, red lentils, potatoes, oral saline, sugar, flour and others. Huawei Bangladesh CEO Zhang Zhengjun said: "This relief programme is our holistic approach 'In Bangladesh, For Bangladesh – Here for you' towards the betterment of lives in the flood-affected areas, and this includes our efforts to make people's lives better." Read Huawei holds campus recruitment event at IUT Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md Abdur Rahman said, "I would like to thank Huawei for standing beside the flood-affected people of Khaliajuri Upazila. Apart from the government's efforts, contributions from the organisations who have extended their help for the people living in these remote areas have given them a respite from the adversaries caused by the pandemic and the flood." Khaliajuri Upazila Nirbhahi Officer AHM Ariful Islam said, "For the last three years, Huawei has been distributing relief among flood-affected people of this region. This is a haor area and suffers from inundation most of the time of the year. Against such a backdrop, I think at least 15,000-16,000 people have come under the relief programme. I hope such an initiative will be extended and Huawei will select remote areas like Khaliajuri in future." Read Akij sets up rooftop solar plant with Huawei's technology

Up to 2.5 lakh flood-hit people in Cox’s Bazar district are facing shortage of food and drinking water even if the district administration and public representatives are reaching relief to the affected areas. The floods, caused by four days of incessant rains, left 21 people dead and caused extensive damage to crops and roads across 51 unions in Ramu, Cox’s Bazr Sadar, Teknaf and Ukhiya upazilas of the coastal district. Read: Floods, landslides hit Rohingya camps hard: UNHCR The administration said it will assess the extent of the damages as flood waters began receding on Saturday. The affected people, meanwhile, have reported scarcity of pure drinking water and shortage of food. According to the district administration, Of the 71 unions and four municipalities in the district 51 unions and 525 villages of a municipality got flooded. Administrative authorities and local representatives are trying their best to help the flood affected people by providing, drinking water, cooked and dried food and other relief. Deputy Commissioner of the district Md Mamunur Rashid said 300 MT rice and Tk 20 lakh has been allocated by the government for the flood affected people. Read: Disaster-resilient shelters built in Cox's Bazar with IOM support The allocation will be increased in phases, he said. Primary estimate of loss from the flood is worth Tk 32 crore , said the authorities. Once the flood waters recede the actual picture of damage will be known and the damaged health services, roads, agriculture, fisheries, salt and protective dams will be restored, said DC Mamunur Rashid. Already 2,000 packets of dried food and Tk 15 lakh have been distributed among flood-affected people, he said.

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.