Heavy monsoon rains started early this
year in the South Asia region, resulting in flooding over a large area
in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
The International Federation of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Federation) has launched appeal
for these three countries respectively. The Hong Kong Red Cross responded
with donation of HKD 140,000 to medical needs in Bangladesh.
Situation and Red Cross/Red Crescent Action
Bangladesh
30 out of the 64 districts in Bangladesh are affected by the recent floods, about 3.5 million people are being affected. Many of them are living on river embankments and roadways and it will be another three weeks before they could return to their homes.
As the flood water receded after ravaging several districts for over a month, water-borne diseases broke out attaching the most vulnerable, those already living below the poverty line, women and children.
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society is deploying six mobile medical teams to the severely affected districts. Each team is composed of a doctor, paramedic, Red Cross Youth and female volunteers.
The Federation launched an appeal of USD 1.4 million to assist 150,000 beneficiaries. The Hong Kong Red Cross is supporting the mobile medical teams and basic medicine with donation of HKD 140,000.
India
Floods in northern and eastern parts of India are considered the worst in the past 20 years in some districts. Nearly 20 million people, most of whom are already fighting against poverty, continue to reel under intense flooding.
"We will have nothing to live on if we leave our home," said Upen Das. For the last two weeks, his family of six have been camping on the roof of their house, with only a limited supply of food, waiting for the waters to recede. "The Red Cross has been a great help to us," he said, as he received relief supplies from Red Cross volunteers, delivered by boat.
Indian Red Cross Society has mobilized its mobile medical units and volunteers to provide timely assistance to the victims. The Federation is appealing for USD 2 million to assist 200,000 people in the coming 6 months.
Nepal
More than 250,000 people have been badly affected by the floods in 47 of the country's 75 districts, and at least 32,000 people are left homeless. The Federation has launched an appeal for USD 1.6 million to assist 130,000 people.
Nepal Red Cross volunteers are the main force in the operation, they were among the first to rescue survivors and provide relief aid to people affected by floods and landslides in some of the most inaccessible areas of the Himalayan kingdom.
"Red Cross volunteers have walked for five days to assist remote communities. Much of the initial evacuation and assessment for relief was carried out by these volunteers with little equipment or resources," said Bob McKerrow, the Federation Head of Delegation for South Asia. "Often, the Nepal Red Cross has been the only humanitarian organization able to get relief to people affected by the disaster."